Cook puts heat on Aussies
Alastair Cook hit a double century as England built a lead over Australia in the fourth Ashes test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
England’s all-time leading run scorer reached his 200 late on day three, with the tourists’ lead extending beyond 100. It is his fifth test double-century.
Australia hold an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-test series.
Cook resumed on 104 yesterday, with England 192-2.
The former skipper was 173 not out at tea, having batted with trademark patience to frustrate Australia on a slow pitch that has made both runs and wickets hard to come by.
Cook was dropped on 66 and 153 by Steve Smith, with the second chance coming at square leg after lunch.
Smith, struggling with a stomach bug, stacked the leg side, then off side with fielders during the post-lunch session but nether tactic ended Cook’s 487-minute masterclass.
The tourists’ all-time leading run scorer now also holds the outright record for most scores of 150-plus by an Englishman.
Australia, holding an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series, bowled well in patches but failed to stop England’s tail wagging for the first time this summer.
Chris Woakes has shared an unbeaten 53-run stand with Cook, twice edging the ball through a slips cordon that was vacant apart from Smith.
Jonny Bairstow (22) and Moeen Ali (20) both fell playing loose strokes to Nathan Lyon.
Pat Cummins claimed the first wicket of the day, removing Joe Root for 61 with a bouncer that England’s skipper slapped straight to Lyon in the deep.
Root was filthy with his lapse in concentration, kicking the turf and flinging his batting gloves as he crossed the boundary line.
Josh Hazlewood then trapped Dawid Malan lbw with the second new ball, the left-handed batsman bizarrely opted against reviewing his dismissal despite replays showing a clear inside edge.
A thick edge was detected on the Hotspot technology before the ball ricocheted onto Malan’s pads, something that would have ensured his survival had he reviewed the decision.
England No 3 James Vince was dismissed in virtually identical circumstances on Wednesday, although his edge onto his pads appeared much fainter than Malan’s.