Cook double-ton puts England on top

Alastair Cook scored a marathon double century to put England in a strong position in the fourth Ashes Test against Australia in Melbourne on Thursday (December 28).

The former skipper roared back to form and ended the third day unconquered on 244 off 409 balls, taking England to 491 for 9 with a lead of 164.

In the process of making his fifth double-ton, Cook also surpassed Brian Lara to become the sixth-highest run-getter in Test cricket with 11,956 to his name.

Cook received great support from Stuart Broad, who smashed 56 off 63 balls after surviving a series of short-pitched balls initially.

The duo added 100 off 110 balls for the ninth wicket before Broad fell to a diving catch by Usman Khawana off Pat Cummins in the deep. By then, Cook and Broad had already taken England past 450.

Cook was fortunate to be dropped twice by Steven Smith along the way. The Australian skipper had put down Cook on 66 in the slips on the second day and then dropped a tough chance at square-leg with the batsman on 153.

Earlier, Joe Root yet again failed to convert a half-century into three figures when he top-edged a hook shot off Cummins to deep square-leg. It was the England skipper’s third half-century of the series.

Dawid Malan then fell leg before wicket to Josh Hazlewood's second delivery of the second new ball for 14. Interestingly, Malan decided not to review despite Hot-Spot showing a mark on the bat.

Australia struck early in the second session with Nathan Lyon dismissing Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali. It was the sixth time in seven innings that Moeen, who attacked his way to 20 off 14 balls, was dismissed by Lyon.

Chris Woakes and Tom Curran fell after tea, before Broad combined with his former skipper to put England in command.