For a short time, as Michael Vaughan sailed onwards and Rob Keyjutted out chin and backside in equal measure, England threatened a comeback worthy of Headingley `81, or even Melbourne `98. Vaughan sped from 66 to 102 in only 20 balls, amid heady thoughts of adding 100 before lunch (he eventually settled for 78).

Vaughan was superb, putting the bad ball away with the power and precision usually associated with Australian batsmen these days. It was a shame that, after cracking Stuart MacGill for a six and a four, he couldn't contain himself when he saw another widish one looping down. He edged to Martin Love - already looking a first-slip fixture - and was on his way for 145.

Key, on a pair, thumped a robust 52. The Aussies like the cut of his well-rounded jib, and he is one of the few to have enhanced his reputation on this tour. Like Vaughan, it's because he usually observes the basics, although a spot of bottom-handedness leads him astray occasionally.

But suddenly reality bit back. Again like Vaughan, Key was a touch too aggressive, and fell to the first ball after drinks. The slide was on. John Crawley hinted at a big one before an angled bat led to his second disappointing dismissal of the match. Craig White and James Foster couldn't quite repeat their first-innings heroics, and it became a question of whether England could prolong matters into a fifth day for the first time in this series.

They did ... just. But barring rain - and none is forecast - it should be 4-0 around lunchtime tomorrow. England haven't got Willis and Botham to bowl the Aussies out here. They probably won't even have White. What they do have is Andy Caddick, licking his wounds after another first-innings shellacking. If ever he needed another four-wicket over, it's now.

Steven Lynch is editor of Wisden.com.

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