England inch closer to defeat

England was forced to follow on the third day of the fourth Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

But Yorkshire opener Michael Vaughan did not let that deter him surpass the England record for runs in a calendar year. He moved past Dennis Amiss's 1974 tally of 1,379 runs in his unbeaten 55 as England reached 111 for two at the close.

Australia, who have already won the first three Tests of the five-match series by big margins, bowled England out for 270 in reply to the home side's 551 for six declared.

Craig White hit 85 not out as England fell 281 runs behind Australia in the first innings after resuming at their overnight score of 97 for three and losing their last seven wickets inside two sessions.

Jason Gillespie took four for 25 runs in 16.3 overs to lead Australia's attack while leg-spinner Stuart MacGill took two for 108 from 36 overs after bowling 25 consecutive overs from the southern end on Saturday.

Australia captain Steve Waugh's decision to enforce the follow-on in warm conditions with the pitch offering little assistance left his bowlers straining to break through in England's second innings.

All-rounder White, who later revealed he batted with the aid of painkillers because of a side strain injury he suffered while bowling on the first day of the match, came to the crease with England in trouble at 118 for six. The 33-year-old hit nine fours and three sixes in his 134-ball innings, which lasted three hours.

White is doubtful for next week's final test in Sydney and could even miss the World Cup in southern Africa starting in February.

Gillespie ended the innings 12 minutes before the scheduled tea break when he had tailender Steve Harmison caught behind for two, leaving White 15 runs short of his second test century.

Australia had earlier pressed home their advantage by claiming three wickets for seven runs in 22 balls in the first session on Saturday including that of England captain Nasser Hussain for 24 at 118 for six.

Night watchman Richard Dawson was caught at slip for six off the bowling of MacGill in the fourth over of the day before Robert Key was lbw to Brett Lee for a second-ball duck.

Hussain swept at MacGill three overs later as the ball brushed past his bat and gloves and Matthew Hayden at short leg claimed a diving catch which was given out.

Hussain appeared less than happy with the decision.

John Crawley and White put on 54 in 78 balls for the seventh wicket before Crawley, on 17, top-edged a pull shot to Justin Langer at mid-wicket off the bowling of Gillespie.

England had resumed on their overnight score of 97 for three, with Hussain on 17 and Dawson yet to score, and went to lunch in a sorry state at 185 for seven.

Wicketkeeper James Foster (19) added 55 for the eighth wicket with White and Andy Caddick hit 17 from 30 balls before he was bowled by Gillespie as he missed with a wild slog attempt.

Marcus Trescothick threatened to make a big total for England in their second innings but he was given out lbw off MacGill after attempting a sweep shot while on 37 in the 16th over at 67 for one. The left-hander had struck five boundaries, including three in over off Lee, and one six.

A tired-looking Gillespie made the second breakthrough in the 25th over with the score on 89 when Mark Butcher, on six, edged to first slip and Martin Love held a diving one-handed catch low to his left. Hussain, on seven, was adjudged not out by the third umpire after extensive video replays as Australia appealed for a stumping off MacGill at 107 for two.

Gillespie said Waugh had consulted the pace attack before enforcing the follow-on.

"We were more than happy to have a bowl. It was the best thing to do to put us in the best position to win the game," Gillespie told a news conference.

"Some short balls are not getting up as high so from a bowling perspective ... that puts a little bit of doubt in the batsman's mind for some of the cross-batted shots which is good, definitely."