Rain could rob England of a chance to take some winning momentum into next week’s first Test, with the visitors needing just 108 runs to beat an Invitational XI in Sydney on Saturday.
The tourists have one extended session, weather permitting, to chase down the target on day four, after they bowled the Invite team out for 261 to coincide with lunch being taken.
After a less than ideal preparation that included a heavily rain-affected tour match in Hobart, England could take plenty from a win as they enter into an arduous Ashes series.
With an early tea taken due to rain, England are 1-40 in their second dig.
Captain Alastair Cook was brilliantly bowled by young Victorian legspinner James Muirhead for 21.
Michael Carberry is 18 not out and Jonathan Trott is yet to face a ball after rain immediately stopped play following Cook’s dismissal.
England’s bowling hasn’t been entirely convincing at times but there have been some encouraging spells throughout the match to go with a very strong batting performance.
With a fast bowling spot up for grabs at the Gabba, contenders Steven Finn (3-88) and Boyd Rankin (3-46) both pressed their case.
Finn took eight wickets for the match, but it may to be to no avail, with Chris Tremlett still the favourite to partner James Anderson and Stuart Broad.
Test star Broad warmed up for Brisbane with two second-innings wickets to go with four in the first dig.
Spinner Graeme Swann got a valuable 26 overs under his belt in the second innings and finished with figures of 2-69.
The Invitational XI resumed on Saturday at 4-153 – a lead of 39.
After putting on a century partnership for the sixth wicket in the first innings, wicketkeeper and captain Peter Nevill and young batsman Ryan Carters combined in a stand of 42 runs.
The pair started strongly on day four, but fell within the space of two runs, Nevill edging behind for 11 and Carters strangled down the leg-side for 40.
No.2 wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow took seven catches for the match as he waits in the wings in case Matt Prior is ruled out of the first Test with a calf strain.
Bairstow took an outstanding high catch going to his right to nab Muirhead off Rankin.
