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Cardiff: Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus each claimed an early breakthrough after Australia made four hundreds in an Ashes innings for the first time as they went for the kill at Cardiff.
Marcus North and Brad Haddin each cracked their second Test tons, while adding 200 for the sixth wicket against a demoralised attack, before England stumbled to 20 for 2 at tea, but on same score rain has started and match called off.
Ricky Ponting declared with about 45 minutes of the afternoon session remaining and was rewarded with significant inroads. The weather was closing in as tea arrived, but such have been the strides made by Australia that even the loss of some time may not matter now.
Alastair Cook played round a straight ball from Johnson and Ravi Bopara was given out leg before to Ben Hilfenhaus, although he could probably feel slightly aggrieved as the ball looked high.
There would also have been a huge shout against Andrew Strauss had it not been for a no-ball from Hilfenhaus and both Strauss and Pietersen couldn't get to the dressing room quick enough.
After the dire forecasts, the rain held off for two sessions and instead the deluge of runs continued. North reached his landmark before lunch off 206 balls and Haddin need 138 deliveries as he did a fine impression of Adam Gilchrist by tearing into the bowling after the break to emphasise Australia's dominance.
In 15 overs after lunch Australia smashed 97 runs with Haddin responsible for 71 of them.
Brief Score: England 435 and 20 for 2 trail Australia 674 for 6 (Ponting 150, North 125*, Katich 122, Haddin 121) by 219 runs.
