BIRMINGHAM, England, July 7: Australia were 381 for five from 94 overs, a lead of 87, when bad light stopped play at 1056 GMT on the third day of the First Test between England and Australia here at Edgbaston on Saturday.

Damien Martyn was 65 not out and Adam Gilchrist 14 not out.

Just as he had done on Friday, when he bowled Michael Slater (77), Darren Gough dismissed the leading not out overnight batsman early in the day's play.

Australia captain Steve Waugh, England's chief tormentor Friday, had added just four to his 101 not out when, to the 12th ball of an overcast morning, he was caught on the crease by a good length Gough delivery.

West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor nodded his head several times but no batsman ever 'walks' for an lbw even though he was plumb out.

However, the finger eventually went up, Waugh dismissed for 105 off 181 balls including 13 fours, Australia 336 for five in the 84th over.

Australia began on 332 for four, with Martyn 34 not out. But they did not have an easy start. Both Gough and Andrew Caddick bowled with greater accuracy than they had done during the bulk of Friday's play, which was halted by bad light and finished off by rain.

Somerset fast bowler Caddick whistled a short delivery past Martyn's off-stump early on and the right-hander's first scoring stroke of the day was an edged four to third man off the same bowler.

New batsman Gilchrist also looked unconvincing, a flashing drive flying over the head of third slip, Caddick again the luckless bowler.

Martyn was unaffected by his poor start and another edge, this time off Gough, went for his sixth boundary and brought him his fifty from 78 balls.

However, Martyn did strike two resounding fours from successive Gough deliveries, first cutting him and then using the away swing for an off-drive high over point.

The weather pattern followed Friday's, heavy rain preventing any thoughts of a speedy resumption as the skies cleared.

With Australia still scoring quickly and England having taken a vital wicket it was a delay that suited neither side.

The umpires decided to take lunch at the scheduled time of 1200GMT in the hope of a prompt restart after the 40 minute break.