Waugh joins elite club as he passes 10,000 Test runs

Steve Waugh clocked up the milestones today by defying England's attempts to take control of the final Test by hitting a superb century on potentially his farewell appearance at the SCG.

With the Australian selectors refusing to guarantee his place beyond the end of this series and endless speculation about his retirement, Waugh became only the third player in history to score 10,000 Test runs.

As if following Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border to the landmark was not enough of an achievement, Waugh then hit his 29th Test century by driving the last ball of the day from Richard Dawson for four - equalling the record set by Sir Don Bradman - to finish unbeaten on 102.

His efforts enabled his side to reach a respectable 237 for five at the close of a fluctuating second day after they had earlier torn through England's lower order to dismiss them for 362 having resumed on 264 for five.

Waugh dominated a crucial 90-run stand with Damien Martyn after Australia had slipped to 56 for three with Andrew Caddick claiming all three wickets inside the first 12 overs of their reply.

He raced to his half-century in only 61 balls and by the close had hit 18 boundaries during his 176-minute stay at the crease, having contributed to a useful 87-run unbroken partnership with Adam Gilchrist off only 90 balls.

The milestones had also fallen earlier in the day with Alec Stewart claiming the 17 runs he needed after resuming on 20 to move past Geoff Boycott and become England's third highest Test run scorer.

Stewart, whose place in England's Test line-up had been threatened by a suspected bout of chicken pox, went on to score a brilliant 71 off 86 balls before being bowled off his pads by Andy Bichel attempting to hit the 16th boundary of his innings.

But once he fell, England lost five wickets for 30 runs in 13 overs to lose the impetus given to them earlier by Stewart's strokeplay during a 92-run partnership with John Crawley.

Australia struggled to match England's efforts in reply with prolific opener Matthew Hayden being trapped leg before to a swinging full toss, Ricky Ponting guiding a lifting delivery behind to Stewart and Langer hooking to Matthew Hoggard in the deep.

Steve Harmison followed up Caddick's efforts to remove Damien Martyn, caught by Caddick at short mid-wicket, and Martin Love when he was caught at slip in the space of seven deliveries.

But another sell-out SCG crowd were only interested in watching Waugh progress towards the milestones and gave him a standing ovation when he pushed Richard Dawson off the back foot for four to reach 10,000 Test runs and was applauded off the pitch by England after reaching his century.