Vaughan puts England in charge

Gilchrist blazed away in the first session of play

Day three, final Ashes Test, Sydney.
England 362 and 218-2, Australia 363
England lead by 217 runs

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Michael Vaughan hit his third century of the series as England dominated on the third day of the final Ashes Test in Sydney.

Australia will need a better effort from their bowlers when play resumes on Sunday if they are to claim their first Ashes whitewash since 1920-1.

Vaughan finished on Saturday looking as solid as a rock on 113 not out, becoming the first Englishman since Chris Broad in 1986-7 to hit three centuries in an Ashes series.

Earlier, the brilliant Adam Gilchrist and a doughty Jason Gillespie put on an unbeaten 69 for Australia's ninth wicket.

Their partnership extinguished England's hopes of establishing a sizeable lead at the SCG, but the tourists still finished the day on top.

Photo Gallery from the SCG

Gilchrist hit 133 off just 121 balls in another eye-catching display of clean hitting.

Matthew Hoggard bowled quite beautifully to take three wickets in the first hour.

But England's other bowlers were found wanting, particularly spinner Richard Dawson, who was scarcely able to extract any turn.

Hoggard removed Steve Waugh early on, the Australian skipper unable to add to his overnight score of 102.

Hoggard was delighted to get rid of Waugh

Caught at second slip by Butcher, Waugh left to a standing ovation following his breath-taking rearguard innings on Friday night.

Gilchrist blazed away, favouring the off-side whether off front or back foot.

But when Hoggard removed Andy Bichel and Brett Lee cheaply off consecutive balls, England looked in fine shape.

However, once Gillespie's nerves were settled, Gilchrist was able to give him much of the strike.

Gilchrist reached his first century at the SCG with a remarkable tennis-style shot down to long on.

Crucial

After lunch Steve Harmison finally removed the Aussie dangerman and Hoggard continued his rediscovered form as he dismissed Stuart MacGill cheaply.

By then Gillespie, who finished on 31 not out, had given the Aussies a one-run lead on first innings.

In England's second innings, Marcus Trescothick started well by smashing MacGill for three fours in his first over.

But he then played on to Lee for 22, meaning Vaughan and Butcher had to come good for England.

Lee's 100 Test wickets in pictures

In the event, the pair put on 87 for the second wicket before MacGill got one to spit out of the footholds, Butcher giving an easy catch to short leg after hitting 30.

England captain Nasser Hussain then enjoyed few alarms apart from being lucky to survive an lbw shout when the inimitable Steve Waugh came on to bowl.

By then, Vaughan had reached his century with an effortless flick off his legs, collecting four runs off Damien Martyn.

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Australia: SR Waugh (capt), JL Langer, ML Hayden, RT Ponting, DR Martyn, ML Love, AC Gilchrist (wkt), SCG MacGill, JN Gillespie, AJ Bichel, B Lee.

England: N Hussain (capt), ME Trescothick , MP Vaughan, MA Butcher, JP Crawley, RWT Key, AJ Stewart (wkt), J Foster (wkt), AR Caddick, MJ Hoggard, SJ Harmison, RKJ Dawson.

Umpires: DL Orchard (SA) & RB Tiffin (Zim)

3rd Umpire: S Taufel

Match referee: Wasim Raja (Pak)