Australia's Michael Clarke bats during play on the first day of the third Ashes cricket Test match between England and Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester,England on Friday. Photo: CFP

Australia captain Michael Clarke carried on from where he left off as the ­tourists maintained their grip on the third Ashes Test against England at Old Trafford on Friday.

At lunch on the second day, ­Australia were 392 for five with Clarke 168 not out - his highest Test score against England - in a match the tourists, 2-0 down with three to play, had to win to have any chance regain the Ashes.

Brad Haddin, dropped on 10, was unbeaten on 18.

England were indebted to ­off-spinner Graeme Swann, who took two wickets in the session on his way to innings figures of four for 103 in 31 overs, for ensuring Australia did not have things all their own way.

Australia resumed well-placed on 303 for three with Clarke 125 not out after scoring the tourists' first ­century of the series, and Steven Smith 70 not out after Thursday witnessed yet more Decision Review System controversy in this Ashes campaign.

On another sunny day and on a still good pitch, Smith was quickly into his stride with a stylish cover drive for four off James Anderson, still to take a wicket this match on his Lancashire home ground.

Clarke, on 136, drove uppishly but powerfully off Tim Bresnan only for Swann, very close in at short extra-cover, to parry the fast-traveling chance above his head.

A single then saw Clarke surpass his previous highest Test score against England of 136 at Lord's in 2009.

But a stand eventually worth 214 ended when Smith, eyeing a ­maiden Test hundred, top-edged a slog off Swann's sixth ball Friday and holed out on 89 to Jonny ­Bairstow at midwicket, leaving ­Australia 343 for four.

Smith's departure brought in left-hander David Warner, booed by large sections of the capacity crowd having missed the first two Tests of this series after being banned for punching England's Joe Root in a Birmingham bar in June.

But there was applause when Clarke struck three fours in as many balls off Bresnan. The first, a late cut through backward point, saw the star batsman go to 150 in 261 balls with 21 boundaries.

The next was commandingly driven on up back past the bowler and through mid-on before Clarke drove Bresnan through extra-cover.

Warner, however, exited for five when an edge off Swann deflected via wicketkeeper Matt Prior's thigh to Jonathan Trott at slip.

Despite the clear edge, Warner reviewed the decision but, with replays leaving no room for doubt, he walked off to yet more jeers.

Haddin was then reprieved when he under-edged a pull off Anderson only for opposing keeper Prior, changing direction, to drop the left-handed chance.