Justin Langer defended Australia's decision to accept the offer of bad light on day two, even though they need to win to retain the Ashes.
"With the light as it was, if we had lost a wicket it might have been difficult for the new guys to come in.
"We lost some time, and that's frustrating," said opener Langer.
"But there's nothing we can do about the weather and hopefully there is still going to be plenty of time left in the game to force a result."
More rain is forecast over the weekend, with England only needing to draw the match to win the Ashes for the first time in 18 years.
Australia were 112-0 in reply to England's 373 when bad light and then rain cut two hours off the end of the day.
Langer and Matthew Hayden shared their first century opening partnership of the series during the afternoon.
"It's the first time Matty and I have got off to a good start," said Langer.
"It's been a crucial part of the team in the past and it's confidence-boosting for my team-mates.
"You can feel within the changing rooms that the first 100 partnership of the series has come at the right time."
Hayden has gone an Aussie record 20 Test innings without passing 70 but was 32 not out overnight, four short of his best Test score of the summer.
"There's no secret that he's been under the pump but he worked really hard to get 30-odd," Langer added.