Australia move safely past follow-on point

ADELAIDE, Dec 4 (Reuters) Michael Clarke and Adam Gilchrist scored half-centuries to steer Australia safely past the follow-on mark in the second Ashes test today.

Clarke made an unbeaten 68 and Gilchrist departed for 64 as Australia cruised to 417 for six in their first innings at lunch on the fourth day at Adelaide Oval.

The hosts added 105 runs for the loss of one wicket in the session after resuming on 312 for five, needing a further 40 runs to make England bat a second time after the touring side racked up 551 for six declared.

Australia passed the follow-on point in the first over after drinks and reached the interval trailing by 134 with four first-innings wickets in hand.

Once Gilchrist departed, Australia made little attempt to chase quick runs, increasing the likelihood that the match will end in a draw on a lifeless Adelaide Oval pitch that has produced 12 wickets in 10 sessions of play.

The explosive Gilchrist briefly threatened to go on one of his run sprees, racing to his half-century off just 70 balls, but threw his wicket away with the total on 384 when he swept Ashley Giles straight to Ian Bell in the deep.

Gilchrist, who failed to notch a single 50 in the last Ashes series and made a duck in last week's first test in Brisbane, showed why he remains one of the most dangerous middle-order batsmen in the game with wonderful drives through the covers.

He started the day on 13, 17 behind Clark, but reached his 50 first in 102 minutes and seemed to have a century in his grasp before his natural instincts got the better of him and he gifted Giles his second wicket of the series.

Clarke was a late inclusion in the Australia team after all-rounder Shane Watson tore his hamstring before the first test but has enhanced his prospects of holding his spot after two impressive innings.

He made 50 in Brisbane and batted with great poise and discipline in Adelaide to post his second half-century.

Clarke reached the milestone off 88 balls in 148 minutes and finished the session in sight of a hundred with Shane Warne unbeaten on 12.

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