Steve Smith reached his maiden test century with a six as Australia, trailing 3-0 in the series, took control of the fifth and final Ashes test against

The Australian all-rounder finished on 138 not in his team's imposing 492 for nine declared. At the close of a rain-affected day England had battled to 32 for no wicket in reply.

"I'm very happy to get the 100 under my belt, I feel like my game's going okay at the moment, I'm probably leaving the ball better than I have done before," Smith told the BBC.

"The pitch is still pretty good, while the ball is still hard it will be important to take a few wickets in the morning."

England openers Alastair Cook and Joe Root survived 17.3 overs to give the hosts some hope of avoiding the follow-on but they still trailed the touring side by 460 runs when bad light forced the players off a few minutes early.

Australia resumed on 307 for four when play started 3-1/2 hours late due to rain and England fast bowler James Anderson soon bowled nightwatchman Peter Siddle for 23 with a peach of a delivery.

But Smith and Brad Haddin shared an untroubled sixth-wicket partnership of 65 as the England fast bowlers failed to take full advantage of overcast conditions.

Smith, 66 not out overnight, continued to find the boundary at regular intervals and England captain Cook was forced to turn to part-time medium-pacer Jonathan Trott.

Smith launched Trott cleanly over long-on for six to get to his first century in his 12th test, an innings spanning five hours and including two sixes and 14 fours.

"I was a bit nervous after getting out for 89 at Old Trafford but I had a chat with Hads and said with Trotty bowling I thought I'd give it a go," Smith said.

Trott did force Haddin, on 30, to chop the ball on to his stumps but Smith was joined by James Faulkner, making his test debut, and the pair took the touring side safely through to tea.

Australia went on the offensive after the interval, smashing 80 runs off the first 10 overs of the final session.

Faulkner was briliantly caught by Trott running round from deep mid-wicket for 23 to give Chris Woakes his first test wicket and Mitchell Starc thrashed 13 before being bowled by Graeme Swann.

With the field spread wide Ryan Harris bludgeoned Swann for two big sixes and he added 45 for the ninth wicket with Smith before being caught and bowled by Anderson for 33 to prompt the declaration.

Cook and Root faced a hostile spell from the four-pronged Australian pace attack but the England openers played solidly and struck two fours each as they tried to avoid getting bogged down.

Harris and Siddle were the pick of the Australian bowlers, generating pace and some movement, but they were unable to break through and Cook, on 17, and Root (13), survived with few alarms.

EVENING SESSION

So end of the day. Australia could not make any early inroads as England finish at 32 for no loss in 17.3 days as bad light ends day early. Earlier Australia made 492 thanks to Steven Smith's unbeaten 138.

Cook is on 15 and Root on 13. Eng 30-0 in 16 overs.

England are 24-0 in 13 overs.

Australia bowlers are not giving away easy runs, but are unable to take wickets as well. Eng 22-0 in 10 overs.

Cautious approach from the openers. Eng 12-0 in 7 overs.

Steady start. England will be careful to not lose any early wickets. Aus 8-0 in 3 overs.

Alastair Cook, Joe Root open for England. Mitchell Starc to bowl for Australia. Eng 6-0 in 1 over.

AUSTRALIA INNINGS 

So Australia take the decision. They have a good 20 overs to make early inroads. Aus 492-9 declared in 128.5 overs.

England take another wicket. Aus 491-9 in 128.4 overs.

R Harris c & b Anderson 33 (27b 1x4 2x6)

Another six from Harris. Aus 477-8 in 127 overs.

Harris smashes a huge six. Australia getting as many runs possible. Still a likely 28 overs to be bowled. So Australia would be keen to bowl for a while. Aus 462-8 in 125 overs.

England get another success. Swann takes his second. Smith continues to bat on at 126. Aus 446-8 in 122.2 overs.

M Starc b Swann 13 (8b 1x4 0x6)

Australia is trying to collect as many runs possible. Aus 431-7 in 121 overs.

A brief entertaining knock from Faulkner comes to an end. Aus 422-7 in 119.3 overs.

J Faulkner c Trott b Woakes 23 (21b 4x4 0x6)

Three boundaries from Faulkner and Australia race to 417-6 in 119 overs.

Australia build on as they cross the 400-run mark. Aus 401-6 in 118 overs.

AFTERNOON SESSION

Steve Smith's maiden test century led Australia to 397 for six at tea on a rain-affected second day of the final Ashes test against England at The Oval on Thursday.

Smith lofted Jonathan Trott for six to bring up three figures and had moved on to 112 not out at the interval as Australia, seeking a consolation victory in a series they trail 3-0, turned the screw on England.

Australia resumed on 307 for four when play started three and a half hours late due to rain and England fast bowler James Anderson soon bowled nightwatchman Peter Siddle for 23 with a peach of a delivery.

But Smith and Brad Haddin shared an untroubled sixth-wicket partnership of 65 as the England fast bowlers failed to take full advantage of overcast conditions.

Smith, 66 not out overnight, continued to find the boundary at regular intervals and England captain Alastair Cook was forced to turn to part-time medium-pacer Trott.

Smith launched Trott over long-on with a crisp strike to get to his first hundred in his 12th test, an innings spanning five hours and including two sixes and 14 fours.

Trott did force Haddin, on 30, to chop the ball on to his stumps but Smith was joined by James Faulkner, making his test debut, and the pair took the touring side safely through to tea.

After a rain-delayed start, Australia continued to do well with Steven Smith scoring a maiden century.

His 112 not out meant Australia are 397 for six in 117 overs.

England got their share to celebrate claiming two wickets and would be eager to bat for a while before the second day ends.

England will look to wind it up early. Aus 393-6 in 115 overs.

Smith gets his century in style with a six. Haddin departs playing on. Aus 385-6 in 113 overs.

B Haddin b Trott 30 (57b 5x4 0x6)

Partnership crosses 50. Smith on 93. Aus 370-5 in 111 overs.

Australia are 359 for five in 108 overs.

A good partnership buidling on here. Aus 358-5 in 106 overs.

Haddin gets some fine shots. Aus 353-5 in 104 overs.

Smith gets a fine boundary and moves to 83. Aus 343-5 in 102 overs.

Smith reaches 75. There's a slight drizzle. Aus 329-5 in 100 overs.

Anderson continues with some impressive bowling. No easy runs there. Aus 324-5 in 97 overs.

Anderson strikes to remove Siddle. Early success for England. Aus 320-5 in 95 overs.

P Siddle b Anderson 23 (27b 2x4 0x6)

England pacers bowl a tight line. Aus 315-4 in 93 overs.

Smith reaches 72 with a boundary. We can see some swing bowling here. Aus 313-4 in 91 overs.

Players are in the middle. So time for some action. Only hoping the sky stays clear. Aus 307-4 in 90 overs.

Some covers have been removed. Play expected to start at 2:30pm in London, that's another half an hour to go.

Things remain to look the same. The covers are still on and the groundstaff are working in the middle there. So we just need to wait for now.

Lunch taken half an hour early for the rain break.

Rain continues to fall, though not heavy.But the morning session seems to look unlikely.

It's a slight drizzle in London. So expecting it to be a hour's delay.

Shane Watson stole the first day of the fifth day of the Ashes with a brilliant century that put Australia on 307 for four in 90 overs.

Steven Smith looks to be carrying on the momentum with an unbeaten 66 and giving him company is Peter Siddle on 18.

Australia will look to further consolidate their innings just to ensure nothing comes easy for England this time.