Watson admits he's hoping for rain

Shane Watson conceded rain would be about the only thing that could save Australia from a humiliating loss to England in Adelaide.

Bundled out for just 245 in their first innings, Australia have been forced to watch on as England piled on the runs to move to 551-4 - an overall lead of 306 runs - before rain forced an early end to the day's play, with Kevin Pietersen notching an unbeaten 213 and Alastair Cook following his Brisbane double-century with 148.

Watson said the rain could not have come at a better time for Australia and admitted the hosts can only hope for another draw at best.

"(The rain) is obviously a good plus this afternoon given the way the game is panning out," he said.

"There's no doubt the way the situation of the game is that ... we'll have to bat unbelievably well over the next two days to save the game. There's still a couple of days left in this Test match for us to try do everything we possibly can to draw the game."

"It's very obvious that we haven't been able to get any wickets. It's no doubt on day one the wicket was very good and we weren't able to capitalise on that. That's the way to turn it around, getting more runs and getting more wickets."

"It's going to be very difficult to be able to win the game from here. It is very disappointing. You can't take anything away from the English, they've batted extremely well. "

Watson said the home side was disappointed and 'hurt' with their efforts so far and have failed to match their own expectations.

"It hurts in general whether it's your home conditions or whether it's anywhere else in the world," he said.

"We've so far been outplayed in these three days so that's the reason why it does hurt because what we've been doing isn't good enough to be anywhere near a position to win the game."

"It's disappointing we haven't been as nowhere near as effective as we would have liked to have been."