Heather Knight remained unbeaten on 168, bringing England back into the game after they were 168/8 on Day 2, facing a follow-on. Knight brought England to within 40 runs of Australia's total. Katherine Brunt then struck twice to reduce Australia to 12/2 before the play was abandoned on Day 3 due to rain.
Australia lead by 52 runs with eight wickets in hand. The final day of the match will begin 30 minutes earlier, but given the rain predictions, they are unlikely to declare and push for a result.
Knight and Sophie Ecclestone added 100 for the ninth wicket as England finished on 297. Ecclestone, dropped twice by Meg Lanning in the first session, reached her highest Test score of 34 before getting Tahlia McGrath pinned her leg-before.
Two overs before that, Knight reached 150 with a superb flick over mid-wicket. Ellyse Perry then dismissed Kate Cross on 22, leaving Knight unbeaten on 168 in 294 balls. Knight hit 17 fours and a six, and scored over 56% of England's total.
Brunt then struck with the third ball of the innings, having Alyssa Healy caught behind for a pair. Four overs later, Tammy Beaumont grabbed a stunning catch at forward short leg to send Rachael Haynes back. Beth Mooney and Perry are at the crease.
Australia 337/9 decl. (Meg Lanning 93; Katherine Brunt 5-60) and 12/2 (Beth Mooney 7*; Katherine Brunt 2-4) lead England 297 (Heather Knight 168*; Ellyse Perry 2-57) by 52 runs.