The Yorkshire batsman became the latest England player to be hit by the injury curse which has dogged the Ashes tour when he twisted his knee during catching practice in the warm-up.

But he was heavily strapped by physio Kirk Russell, took his place at the top of the order and dominated until he fell to the last ball of the first day as England racked up 295 for four.

Vaughan was immediately called into action when captain Nasser Hussain, who surprised everybody by bowling first in Brisbane, followed local knowledge this time after winning the toss and chose to bat.

It was a decision which paid dividends, with Vaughan hitting 177 - his fifth century in nine Tests - to take his tally to 1,241 in 2002 and lie second behind only Sachin Tendulkar (1,292) as the highest runscorer in Test cricket this year.

His innings enjoyed its fair share of good fortune. Vaughan was given an early reprieve on 19 when Justin Langer caught him at cover only for TV umpire Steve Davis to give him not out because he believed the replays were inconclusive.

He was also dropped on 56 by Shane Warne, who failed to take a hard chance at slip.

Those escapes enabled Vaughan to reach three figures. He hit three sixes and 19 fours in doing so and also forged a 140-run third-wicket partnership with Hussain.

Fellow opener Marcus Trescothick, who was dropped on 26 by Matthew Hayden in the gully, fell just before lunch when he dragged Glenn McGrath on to his stumps for 35.

Trescothick had also survived trial by TV umpire when Bichel attempted to claim a return catch which clearly bounced in front of him.

Warne struck four overs after the interval to prise out Robert Key, who was drafted into the side to replace the injured John Crawley and then promoted up the order because Mark Butcher was suffering with a migraine.

Key had scored one in 39 minutes at the crease when he drove Warne but hit the calf of Ricky Ponting, who was able to react and take the catch at silly mid-off.

Hussain was also fortunate, dropped on 13 by Damien Martyn at slip after he edged Warne, before the Australian leg-spinner followed suit by missing him again on 35 off captain Steve Waugh.

The England captain progressed to 47 before his resistance was broken, Warne inducing him into edging an attempted cut behind to Adam Gilchrist.

He was replaced by Butcher, who finally overcame his migraine and reached an unbeaten 22 at the close.

Vaughan fell to the final ball before stumps when he pushed wearily and without meaningful foot movement to edge to Warne at first slip off Bichel after the Queenslander had come on for the last over of the post-tea session.