Australia have established a lead of 133 runs in the fifth Ashes Test match after reaching 479-4 at stumps on day three in Sydney.
England had hoped to make some headway with the ball but with the pitch offering little assistance in the hot conditions, the Baggy Greens made the tourists toil throughout Saturday's play.
Usman Khawaja quickly secured his century and Steven Smith appeared set to join him until being dismissed caught and bowled by Moeen Ali for 83.
Shaun Marsh kept the score ticking over with Khawaja before Mason Crane finally got some reward for his persistence on debut by having Khawaja stumped on 171.
England needed a strong final session but Marsh and brother Mitchell Marsh (63) scored freely, with Shaun ending the day just two short of his ton.
Despite a sizeable lead having already been built, Smith will likely bat England out of contention before looking to bowl during the remaining four or five sessions when the pitch is expected to deteriorate to some degree.
