By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent at The Oval

Australia reach 112-0 in replay to England's total of 373 all out before rain ends play early on day two.

Langer is Australia's Andrew Strauss

There was widespread amazement that the Australian batsmen accepted the offer of bad light when openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden seemed to be coasting along.

They were well set, having put on 112 for the first wicket, and Australia cannot win the game while sitting in the dressing room.

Every over is crucial for them - and while it can be awkward batting in poor light, the conditions were at worst, murky.

Although a maximum of half an hour can now be added to the third day, Ricky Ponting may live to regret his decision especially if there is more rain on the three remaining days.

Justin Langer is not usually the most free scoring of opening batsmen but, in reaching 75 not out he looked absolutely determined that Australia will eventually overhaul England's total.

Langer is Australia's Andrew Strauss - and it is no coincidence that the young Strauss was lucky enough to sit next to the experienced Langer when he played county cricket for Middlesex.

Both batsmen are unflappable characters who calmly go about their business, and they share the great skill of blocking out any interference, and not allowing anything to affect their concentration.

Only one chance was offered by the Aussies and Marcus Trescothick, of all people, dropped it.

Paul Collingwood was the unlucky bowler when, in his second over, Langer edged to slip.

The ball was high to his right, and Trescothick has a magnificent record in that position, but he fluffed the catch and Langer, on 53, survived.

It was very unfortunate for Collingwood, because many people believe England should have played a specialist bowler rather than him.

Having failed with the bat, this would have been a perfect retort

The weather forecasters suggest that there will still be rain around for the start of the third day, but the Australians will be keen to get batting again.

Their tactics seem to be to try and bat as long as possible in their first innings and, having set an imposing lead, then setting Shane Warne loose sometime on Sunday.

That is their aim, and they still have time on their side.

It is up to England to stop them.