Australia A grabbed the upper hand before Craig Kieswetter rescued the England Lions with an unbeaten century on a rain-affected third day of the second tour match at Edgbaston.

The Aussies appeared to be in control with four early wickets on Thursday, but the Lions recovered from 4-53 to close on 5-240 thanks largely to Kieswetter's 112 not out.

Kieswetter, England's one-day and Twenty20 international wicketkeeper, hit 17 fours and one six before bad light halted play with 21 overs to go.

Australia A declared on their overnight score of 9-308 after heavy rain in Birmingham delayed the start of proceedings for 30 minutes.

The Lions were under pressure from the onset, with Varun Chopra the first to fall, caught by Liam Davis at square-leg off Nathan Coulter-Nile in the eighth over for 10.

Joe Root (24) followed next, after he was caught behind by Tim Paine down the leg side off Mitchell Johnson.

Seamer Jackson Bird trapped Samit Patel lbw for two soon after, before Coulter-Nile bowled Lions captain Eoin Morgan (12) in the 18th over.

Ben Stokes (26) was caught behind mistiming a pull off Bird, prompting the arrival of Chris Woakes, who combined with Kieswetter for a sixth-wicket partnership of 141.

Kieswetter was at his damaging best in the first over after tea, cover driving his first two balls for four and then pulling Bird for six on the final ball.

Woakes, who scored 92 in the first innings of last week's first unofficial Test at Old Trafford, continued to impress with 48 not out.

Australia A are searching for their first win in their final tour match after a defeat by Durham and draws with Derbyshire and the Lions in Manchester.