VAUGHAN'S CENTURIES 120 v Pak, Old Trafford, 2001 115 v SL, Lord's, 2002 100 v Ind, Lord's, 2002 197 v Ind, Trent Bridge 2002 195 v Ind, The Oval, 2002 177 v Aus, Adelaide, 2002/03 145 v Aus, Melbourne 2002/03 183 v Aus, Sydney, 2002/03 156 v SA, Edgbaston, 2003

The innings marks a return to form for the Yorkshire batsman, who struggled early in the summer against Zimbabwe after an impressive Ashes series in Australia.

"I scored three against the best team in the world in Australia but those were on decent decks," Vaughan told BBC Radio Five Live.

"Today South Africa made me work for every single run that I got."

Vaughan struggled early against South Africa's opening bowlers Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, but eventually reached three figures from 169 balls, with 15 boundaries.

"With Shaun Pollock's opening spell I seemed to be stuck on 12 and down his end all morning," he added.

"But I thought if I could just fight through to the afternoon session I would be able to cash in."

When Vaughan was dismissed - annoyed that he had not done enough to save the follow-on - England were still 89 short of making South Africa bat again.

The pitch is doing a little more than on the first day so we'll have show a bit more character Michael Vaughan Full day four report

And the hosts suffered a further blow when Andrew Flintoff was lbw to Dewald Pretorius from the penultimate delivery of an extended third day.

England went to stumps 374-7 - 21 short of avoiding the follow-on and effectively ensuring a draw.

"I thought Freddie [Flintoff] was playing a good knock to get 40 with the wicket a bit uneven and to put us within touching distance was a good effort," Vaughan said.

"It will obviously obviously a crucial 20 runs in the morning.

"I expect us to have a tricky period some time [on Monday] afternoon.

"The pitch is doing a little more than on the first day so we'll have show a bit more character."