MELBOURNE, Dec 29 AAP - Opener Michael Vaughan capped off an outstanding year with a century as he led England's fightback here today on day four of the fourth Ashes cricket Test.

Vaughan passed Indian run machine Sachin Tendulkar as the most prolific Test batsman for the calendar year, posting 133 not out as England reached 3-221 at lunch.

His 2002 tally of 1,469 was also second only to the 1,710 scored by West Indian legend Viv Richards in 1976.

Robert Key was the other not-out batsman on 14, with England needing another 60 to make Australia bat again.

England was bowled out for 270 yesterday in reply to Australia's 6(dec)-551.

Vaughan had thumped 78 today, including 11 fours and two sixes, after resuming on 55.

His first scoring shot for the day was a boundary off Stuart MacGill and that took Vaughan past Tendulkar's 2002 total of 1,392.

Captain Nasser Hussain went from eight overnight to 23 before Glenn McGrath fooled him with a split-finger slower ball and had him caught and bowled.

The English had savaged MacGill so far today, belting 61 from his 13 overs, with the leg spinner appearing to struggle in a strong breeze.

© 2002 AAP NewsWire

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.