Langer shines before bad light checks Aussies

Justin Langer mixed lavish strokes with a little luck as Australia, chasing England's first-innings total of 373, closed a truncated second day of the fifth Ashes test on 112 without loss.

Australia's hopes of exploiting their strong position, however, were thwarted by bad light followed by rain which wiped out the entire final session.

Langer, who moved to 75 not out, and Matthew Hayden, on 32, accepted the light as the players came back out after tea.

To the frustration of a packed Oval, the teams never returned to the field, with 37 overs remaining.

England lead the series 2-1. Australia need to win at The Oval to retain the Ashes, which they have held since 1989.

Langer and Hayden's stand was their best of the series, dwarfing their previous high of 58 runs in the first innings at Old Trafford.

Earlier, Shane Warne took the last English wicket to complete a six-wicket haul costing 122 runs.

The leg spinner has taken 34 wickets for the series, equalling his best previous Ashes return.