Having joined Sunil Gavaskar and Allan Border at the landmark, Waugh then drew level with Sir Don Bradman on 29 Test centuries by driving the last ball of the day from Richard Dawson for four.

His efforts leave the game evenly poised after England lost five wickets for 30 runs in the morning session to stumble to 362 all out.

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

Stewart went on to score a brilliant 71 off 86 balls before being bowled off his pads by Andy Bichel (three for 86) attempting to hit the 16th boundary of his innings.

But once he fell, England collapsed inside 13 overs to lose the impetus given to them earlier by Stewart's strokeplay during a 92-run partnership with John Crawley, who recorded a painstaking 35 not out off 142 balls.

Australia struggled to match England's efforts in reply with Matthew Hayden being trapped leg before to a swinging full toss, Ricky Ponting guiding a lifting delivery behind to Stewart and Justin Langer hooking to Matthew Hoggard in the deep - all off Andrew Caddick, who took three for 88.

Waugh then dominated a crucial 90-run stand with Damien Martyn after Australia had slipped to 56 for three and the hosts seemed to be back on track.

But Steve Harmison followed up Caddick's efforts to remove Damien Martyn (26), caught by Caddick at wide mid-wicket, and Martin Love for a duck when he was caught at slip in the space of seven deliveries.

However, with Waugh in such determined mood and Adam Gilchrist thrashing a memorable 45 not out off 44 balls as England lost their way with the ball, Australia will begin the third day on a high.