Steve Harmison finally took a wicket after a wayward first four sessions, getting Shane Warne (17) caught behind.
But the highlights were few for the bowlers.
Hoggard returned 2-98, while Anderson (1-141) and teammate Harmison (1-123) were punished on a bouncy wicket that did not offer a lot of swing for the first 100 overs.
Ponting's 32nd test hundred equaled the Australian record held by Steve Waugh and moved him into fourth place on the international list topped by Sachin Tendulkar with 35.
"To get that close to reaching a double-hundred, it's disappointing," said Ponting, who resumed at 137 and fell four runs shy of his fifth double-hundred. "When you bat that long, you want to achieve the milestones."
In an eventful last 17 overs on Friday, Strauss was out attempting to pull McGrath, caught by Hussey despite colliding with Lee.
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