That ensured Australia took a lead of just 40 and Katherine Brunt claimed two wickets to reduce Australia to 12-2 in a gripping spell.

She had Alyssa Healy caught behind in the first over, the Australia opener out without scoring for the second time in the Test, and Rachael Haynes caught at short leg off an inside edge for four.

However, with the match delicately poised, rain arrived a ball later on the stroke of lunch and no further play was possible.

It means the draw is the most likely result with just one day remaining and more rain forecast.

That would leave England, currently trailing 4-2 in the multi-format series, needing to win the three one-day internationals that follow to win the Ashes, although they could also end the tour victorious with two wins plus a tie or no-result.

Rain to spoil unexpected finale?

The frustration is rain at Manuka Oval looks set to spoil what could have been a thrilling finale to this one-off Test.

When England were 120-6 and 169-8 on day three Australia looked on course for a win that would see them retain the Ashes, but Knight led a turnaround for the tourists which continued on the third morning.

The 31-year-old and Sophie Ecclestone had already put on 66 unbeaten for the ninth wicket and they stretched that to a remarkable century stand before Ecclestone was finally out lbw to Tahlia McGrath for 34, having twice been dropped by Meg Lanning at slip.

Knight calmly passed her previous high score of 157 and when number 11 Kate Cross pulled to fine leg for 11 the England captain left the field with the second-highest score by an overseas batter in Australia to her name. The hosts' lead was notable but far from the significant advantage they looked set to gain 24 hours earlier.

Knight's 168 not out is the fourth highest score for England in Tests

As Australia came out to bat, the situation fell nicely for England. The clouds had built before a 30-minute spell with the ball before lunch.

Seamer Brunt, who took 5-60 in the first innings, found movement in the gloom and her roar when dismissing Healy for a second-ball duck pointed to a bowler who believed in her side's chances.

With a minimum of 109 overs to be bowled, Australia will also retain hope of victory on the final day, although they will be wary of offering England any chance of the four points on offer for a win.

Last week's second and third Twenty20s were washed out and a similar scenario here has only seen calls for women's Tests to be played over five days not four grow louder.

'We will have to bowl out of our skins' - reaction

England captain Heather Knight: "We put ourselves in a really nice position. The way we came out before lunch was exactly what I asked of the girls. Anya [Shrubsole] and Katherine [Brunt] were brilliant.

"To pick up those two wickets we feel we can really break the game open, try and get out them for a cheap score and set up a chase. We are still holding out a little bit of hope.

"We will have to bowl out of our skins to put the Aussies under the pump. We will have to keep them under 150 or 200 realistically."

Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner: "It is certainly going to be pretty hard [to force a result]. The best way we can go about it is a really positive mindset with the bat and try and get in a winning position.

"It is going to be pretty tough to get in that position. We would love to get around the 200 mark and have 50 or 60 overs at them."

Former England spinner Alex Hartley: "England had the momentum. Australia were probably taken aback a little that they had been in such a strong position and now are deciding do they go for the win. They are the questions Australia will have to ask themselves overnight."