Australia need only 99 runs to claim victory

ALTHOUGH Michael Vaughan was understandably delighted to finish the year on a high with his sixth century to help England record their highest total of the series of 387, once again his efforts were not enough to influence the result against a powerful Australian side.

Even without the injured Shane Warne and with Glenn McGrath absent for most of the day with a minor back complaint, Vaughan and England could not bat for long enough to put sufficient pressure on Australia, who need only 99 runs for victory today after reaching eight without loss at the close of the fourth day having enforced the follow on 281 runs adrift on Saturday.

Resuming 170 runs adrift on 111 for two, Vaughan dominated from the start of play by demonstrating a full range of attacking strokes, but fell with England only 45 runs from parity.