Cook serves up double century
ROB FORSAITH
Alastair Cook has hit a double century as England built a lead over Australia in the fourth Ashes test at the MCG.
England’s all-time leading run scorer reached his 200 late on day three, with England reaching stumps at 491-9, with Cook unbeaten on 244.
It is his fifth test double-century. 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 yesterday.
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 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 before Cook found a willing ally in Stuart Broad, who contributed a lusty 56 as the pair put on precisely 100 for the ninth wicket.