The weather looks like the only possible barrier for England to leave Adelaide with a 1-nil lead in the Ashes Series.
The Aussies sit at 4/238, still trailing England by 137 runs, after Andrew Strauss called an end to his team's devastating 620 run first innings early in the day's play.
Kevin Pietersen went to stumps on day three with 213 runs under his belt and came out with intent to increase his total, hitting a boundary on the second delivery of the day.
But the Pietersen show was not to last, with the double-centurion out on 227, caught in the slip by Katich while trying to blast Doherty over mid-wicket.
Ian Bell, who began the day with Pietersen, found the nine runs he needed to make his half century. Joined by wicketkeeper Matt Prior, the pair managed to add a further 52 runs before Strauss declared with an imposing 375-run lead.
Despite the tough task ahead, Australia started their second innings in a positive fashion, reaching the 50 run mark without giving many opportunities for England to break the opening partnership.
Beyond that mark, however, came difficulty in the form of Graeme Swann. The finger-spinner found plenty of turn in an Adelaide pitch starting to come to life, troubling the Australian openers with every ball.
His spell of bowling pulled the Australian run rate back from a touch under 5 an over to just above 3.
Further issues arose for the pair, with Katich struggling to run between the wickets and apply steady footwork due to a growing achilles injury. The combination appeared to be too much for the left-hander, as he was dismissed for 43 by a faint edge to the keeper of Swann's bowling.
Ricky Ponting was welcomed to the crease by more dynamic Swann bowling, facing 13 nervous deliveries before eventually getting off the mark, and in the process avoiding a pair.
Ponting began to looked settled after hitting a pair of fours, but a change-up from Swann caught the Australian off guard, sending him away for 9.
Michael Clarke joined Shane Watson in the middle, eager to find form after a tough start to his Ashes campaign.
Shortly after, Watson brought up his second 50 of the test with a well-timed straight drive. With only 2 centuries compared to his 12 half centuries in Test cricket, Watson sought to convert his 50 with patient and controlled strokes.
Once again, however, it wasn't to be. Seven runs later, Watson became Steve Finn's second scalp of the test after edging a forward drive to the slips.
Michael Hussey, already in a major form revival, joined forces with Michael Clarke to cut away at the English lead, which at that stage sat at 241 runs.
Mr. Cricket again lived up to his name, as he and Clarke established a solid partnership, giving Australia their first realistic look at a draw that was not weather-dependent.
The news got better for Australia when rain did find its way onto the Adelaide wicket. The Aussie pair looked comfortbale with Clarke at 41 and Hussey at 24 when the covers came out during the third session.
Clarke became the fourth Australian player to score a half century in the Adelaide test when his cut shot saw the ball to the rope.
The run looked to be over when Clarke was given out on 62, but survived when he took advantage of the decision referral system to cancel out the Swann wicket.
A handful of overs before the close of play, the hundred partnership was reached - a first for the Australian innings.
Although with a full day's play up their sleeve, England were more than aware of the role the weather could play in deciding the match outcome.
In a final change for the day, Kevin Pietersen was brought in to the bowling attack in an attempt to disrupt the Aussie rhythm. It worked.
Clarke, on 80, tried to help the ball onto the leg side but ended up pushing the ball into his leg. The result was a catch for Cook waiting at short leg. In a bizarre moment, Clarke began to walk off the pitch before standing his ground and asking for his second referral of the innings.
The referral was a wasted one, showing a firm push out of the middle of the Clarke willow.
Adding further insult to injury, the wicket ball turned out to be the last delivery of the day, capping off a wonderful day for Kevin Pietersen and turning what should've been a positive finish for the Aussies into a confidence booster for their opposition.
Although the rain played a cameo role today, it's going to need a starring one to save what little hope for a draw is left in the Australian dressing room.
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