Rain halted Australia's push towards a big win in the first Test against Zimbabwe at the WACA in Perth on Sunday.

The Australians were just one wicket away from victory when rain forced an early end to the fourth day with Zimbabwe 272 for nine in their second innings, needing a further 224 runs to make Australia bat again.

Zimbabwe resumed at 87 for two and slumped to 156 for seven by lunch. They lost another two wickets in the middle session and seemed certain to be heading towards defeat when the skies opened.

Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak was unbeaten on 42 with Ray Price unbeaten on 17 after they managed to frustrate the Australians with a 38-run partnership.

Streak also shared an 83-run stand with Sean Ervine for the eighth wicket as the Australians struggled to fill the hole left by injured bowlers Jason Gillespie and Stuart MacGill.

Fast bowler Andy Bichel and part-time spinner Darren Lehmann captured three wickets each while express paceman Brett Lee grabbed one.

Scoreboard:

Australia first innings: 735-6 declared

Zimbabwe first innings: 239

Zimbabwe second innings: (overnight 87-2)
D.Ebrahim b Gillespie 4
T.Gripper c Gilchrist b Gillespie 0
M.Vermeulen c Gilchrist b Lee 63
S.Carlisle c Hayden b Lehmann 35
C.Wishart lbw b Bichel 8
C.Evans b Lehmann 5
T.Taibu c Gilchrist b Bichel 3
S.Ervine b Bichel 53
H.Streak not out 42
A.Blignaut st Gilchrist b Lehmann 22
R.Price not out 17

Extras: (b-4 lb-6 w-5 nb-5) 20

Total: (for nine wickets, 105 overs) 272

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-11, 3-110, 4-112, 5-118, 6-126, 7-126, 8-209, 9-247.

Bowling: Lee 28-6-70-1, Gillespie 3-0-6-2, MacGill 3.4-1-10-0, Bichel 22-11-55-3, Lehmann 26.2-12-54-3, Martyn 10-3-26-0, Waugh 7-1-26-0, Ponting 5-1-15-0.