Michael Vaughan continued his prolific Ashes form today by recording his third century of the series to propel England into a commanding lead in the final Test against Australia at the SCG.
The Yorkshire batsman hit an unbeaten 101 to guide the tourists to a comfortable 185 for two in their second innings to make amends for their failure to secure a crucial first-innings lead earlier on the third day.
Leading by 125 at the start of the day with Australia on 237 for five, the tourists were foiled in that objective by a superb century from Adam Gilchrist which enabled his side to claim a one-run advantage when they were finally dismissed for 363.
But their disappointment at not bowling out Australia sooner was tempered by another superb Vaughan innings, which included a six and 14 other boundaries, to guide England into a 184-run lead in the final session on a deteriorating pitch.
His influence had enabled England to overcome the early loss of fellow opener Marcus Trescothick, who chopped onto his stumps to give fast bowler Brett Lee his 100th Test wicket in his 23rd appearance.
Australia had resumed the day aiming to get as close as possible to parity on a deteriorating pitch and were taken to within 13 runs of being on level terms by another superb Adam Gilchrist century.
Gilchrist hit a brilliant 133 off 121 balls and dominated a crucial 82-run ninth wicket partnership with Jason Gillespie in only 90 minutes after Matthew Hoggard had claimed three earlier wickets to put England on top.
Captain Steve Waugh fell after just five minutes of the restart having failed to add to his overnight 102, edging a wide Hoggard delivery straight to Mark Butcher at second slip who took the catch in front of his face.
It was six overs later before Hoggard made his first real contribution to the series when he claimed two wickets off successive balls and almost emulated fellow Yorkshireman Darren Gough, who claimed a hat-trick in the corresponding Test four years ago.
Andy Bichel, who had been fortunate to survive in Hoggard's previous over when he gloved behind only for umpire Russell Tiffin to make an error, was the first to fall when he attempted to upper cut but only picked out John Crawley in the gully.
Fast bowler Lee fell to the next delivery when he pushed tentatively forward to a full-length delivery and edged behind to wicketkeeper Alec Stewart and Jason Gillespie almost fell in identical circumstances only for the ball to narrowly miss the edge.
That was the signal for Gilchrist to dominate and he added 24 off his next 15 balls to take Australia to within touching distance of England's total when he edged Steve Harmison behind.