England were on 488-7 with Matt Prior (54) and Tim Bresnan (0) at the crease when bad light stopped play.
Cook put on another dazzling display of concentration and not a few fine shots and was given a rousing standing ovation by the 40,000 crowd after taking his series tally to 766 runs.
Those hopes were still high at the start of the day when the tourists resumed on 167-3 and Peter Siddle quickly picked up the wicket of nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson for seven.
At the other end, though, was the outstanding batsman of the series and Cook, who had started on 61, was soon accelerating towards his third century of the series.
By the time he was caught low in the gully by Mike Hussey off Shane Watson just after tea, England had overhauled Australia’s first innings tally of 280 and were 100 runs ahead with four wickets in hand.
Most of the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground were clad in pink in honour of the breast cancer foundation started by Test bowling great Glenn McGrath and his late wife Jane but the English batsmen were in no mood for charity.
Bell picked up where Cook had let off and he finally scored his first Test century in 31 innings against the Australians but there were boos mixed with cheers as he doffed his helmet.
The 29-year-old had been given out caught behind on 67 when the ball went between bat and pad but he stood his ground and was reprieved when the television review England demanded proved inconclusive.
Debutant spinner Michael Beer, who had lost two potential wickets to TV reviews, finally got his maiden Test wicket when Paul Collingwood danced down the pitch but sent the ball looping into the hands of Ben Hilfenhaus at mid-on for 13.
“If we can go out strong in the morning and get these last few wickets, then bat our backsides off and fight hard and get a lead of 180-200 on the final day at the SCG, I’m confident we can still win this game,” Clarke said.
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