Gillespie injured in fifth Test

SYDNEY, Jan 5 AAP - Injury-prone paceman Jason Gillespie sent a scare through the Australian camp today when he left the field hurt on day four of the fifth Test against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

By tea, the visitors looked set to post Australia a mammoth target, going to the break at 7-386, a lead of 385.

Alec Stewart was not out 10 and Andy Caddick was on one.

Gillespie injured his left elbow when he lost balance on his follow through while bowling and landed heavily on his left hand with the arm appearing to bear most of his weight as he went to ground.

The South Australian bowled one more ball before heading off for treatment, unable to finish his 19th over.

It further depleted an Australian attack missing paceman Glenn McGrath (side strain) and legspinner Shane Warne (dislocated shoulder).

Andy Bichel stepped into the fray to take his second wicket of the session when he had Richard Dawson out, caught and bowled for 12.

Earlier Bichel, McGrath's replacement for this Test, struck to remove England batting hero Michael Vaughan, who was trapped lbw for an outstanding 183.

Vaughan combined with skipper Nasser Hussain (72) for partnership of 189, England's best stand for the third wicket against Australia at the SCG, breaking the previous mark of 166 set by Hussain and Mark Butcher in the first innings.

The Australians face a giant task if they are to win the match.

The highest successful Test run chase in history is shared by Australia and India.

Sir Donald Bradman's Invincibles made 3-404 chasing 403 to beat England at Headingley in 1948 while India, chasing the same target, reached 4-407 against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 1975-76.

The highest winning Ashes score at the SCG was Australia's 4-276 to beat England by six wickets in 1898.