Women's Ashes: Rain hurts England's bid to set up an unlikely victory push in Canberra

England was hoping to set up an unlikely victory push on the third day of the Women's Test against Australia.

Heather Knight's side, who looked out of the contest on day two, reached 297 before being dismissed.

Australia took a lead of just 40 and was reduced to 12-2 in a gripping spell by Brunt.

She had Australia's opener out without scoring for the second time in the Test, and then caught Haynes off an inside edge for four.

With the match delicately poised, rain arrived at the stroke of lunch and no further play was possible.

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

It would leave England needing to win the three one-day internationals that follow to win theAshes, but they could also end the tour victorious with two wins plus a tie or no-result.

• Canberra weather forecast

Rain to spoil unexpected finale?

It looks like rain will ruin the finale of this one-off Test.

When England were cruising at 169-8 on the third day, Australia were on the verge of retaining the urn, but Knight led a revival for the tourists.

The pair put on a remarkable century stand, which was ended by the dismissal of Ecclestone, who had twice been dropped by Lanning.

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 lead of the hosts was notable but far from the advantage they were going to gain.

England was in a good position when Australia came out to bat. The clouds had built before the lunch break.

Seamer Brunt found movement in the gloom and her roar when she dismissed Healy for a second-ball duck and pointed to a bowler who believed in her side's chances.

Australia will be hoping to win the game on the final day, although they will be wary of giving England any chance of a win.

The calls for women's Tests to be played over five days have grown louder since the second and third Twenty20s were washed out.

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

Heather Knight is the England captain. The way we came out was what I asked of the girls. They were brilliant.

We feel we can break the game open by getting out those two guys for cheap runs and setting up a chase. We are still holding out some hope.

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

It is going to be difficult to force a result. The best way to get in a winning position is to have a positive mindset with the bat.

It is going to be difficult to get that position. We would love to get around the 200 mark and have 50 or 60 overs.

Alex Hartley is a former England spinner. Australia was taken aback by the fact that they were in a strong position and now are deciding if they should go for the win. They are the questions Australia will have to ask themselves.