Postpublished at 07:27 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Ed Smith
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
The sadness is this shows Australia's weakness. It shows if England had performed earlier they could have been beaten.
Summary
Cook, dropped by Smith on 66, makes unbeaten century
Australia bowled out for 327
Broad takes 4-51, Anderson 3-61
Curran bowls Smith (76) for first Test wicket
Australia lose seven wickets for 67 after Smith dismissal
Australia lead series 3-0; two to play
Postpublished at 07:27 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Postpublished at 07:21 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland bowler James Anderson, speaking to BT Sport: "We've had a couple of good days so far on this trip but not backed them up so we know we need to do so now.
"Everyone is delighted for Cookie to get a hundred but we've got to come back and do the same tomorrow.
"We've played some really good cricket on this trip but not done it for long enough. After the first session yesterday we worked out the pitch and got some reverse swing. We got three chop ons - but you need that luck in this game.
"The way I've seen Stuart Broad work this week as been as hard as I've ever seen someone work at their game. He's done the hours in the nets, working on his technique and action."
Postpublished at 07:19 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match SpecialWhen Cook finds form he is such a calming influence on the England dressing room. When he is out there in the middle they are so comfortable with what they are trying to achieve.
England haven't played anywhere near what is expected. It is little too late for the series but it is great to see they have found form.
Postpublished at 07:16 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
BBC Test Match SpecialEngland bowler Stuart Broad, speaking to TMS: "We were very patient yesterday and got our rewards today. Cookie's innings today was special and he knows the job is not done.
"Both of us on this trip haven't done as well as we would have liked but the game does go in swings and roundabouts. Things do turn eventually and that was evident with Cookie today. He had a positive mental attitude which showed."
Image source, Getty ImagesHere's what you've missed...published at 07:15 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Image source, EPAJust waking up? Well, for the first time in this series, you have missed a day that has belonged to England.
Alastair Cook reached his 32nd Test century just before the close and finishes unbeaten on 104.
It was a tremendous knock - the only real chance offered when he was dropped by Steve Smith on 66. Aside from that, he's batted like the Cook of old, reaching his first Ashes century since 2011 and completing the set, now having a ton at all five Australian Test grounds.
Ever since Tom Curran claimed his first Test wicket by dismissing Smith for 76, England have been on top. From there, Australia lost seven wickets for 67 runs with Stuart Broad ending with four wickets and James Anderson three as the hosts were bowled out for 327 after lunch.
Mark Stoneman and James Vince both made double figures in England’s reply but fell to Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood respectively and since then it has been all about the tourists’ most experienced batsmen.
England have waited all series for Cook and Root to bat them into a strong position and now they have finally done it. More of the same needed on day three though.
England have closed on 192-2, 135 runs behind.
Postpublished at 07:13 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match SpecialEngland are in a fantastic position and have won day two convincingly. They lost day one and have won day two. Can they win day three?
From what I have seen from this Australia attack and the pitch, England should have plenty to see the day out and get in front but we can't get ahead of ourselves with this England side.
Postpublished at 07:08 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Image source, Getty ImagesThat's the first century for Alastair Cook at the MCG, by the way, completing the set.
He now has an Ashes hundred at Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
Well played that man.
Postpublished at 07:07 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match SpecialIt has been a tough tour for the senior pros but for the first time the experienced batsmen have been at the crease for a few hours.
Throughout the whole day Cook has had a mindset of challenging the bowler. The pitch has played beautifully in the afternoon session.
England's positivity has nullified the pitch.
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 07:07 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
So England trail Australia by 135 runs with eight wickets remaining.
The hosts have been weakened by the absence of Mitchell Starc, while Pat Cummins has struggled with illness today.
But England deserve huge credit. They bowled to a plan, making use of the variable bounce, some reverse swing and a helpful dose of luck as Australia collapsed to 327 all out.
In reply, Cook and Root have shown how to play on this slow pitch and accumulated brilliantly. More of the same needed tomorrow.
Postpublished at 07:05 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match SpecialIt has just been a different mindset from Cook. I am sure it helps there has been no Mitchell Starc and the pitch is slower.
He has looked to score whereas in the first Tests he has looked like he was thinking of survival.
Close of play - Eng 192-2published at 07:02 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Cook 104, Root 49
Image source, Getty ImagesAnother atrocious long hop from Smith allows Cook to pick up a single from the final ball of the day.
Smith brought himself on to try and tempt Cook into doing something stupid, but it was a dreadful over and just allowed the England opener to secure a superb century.
England's day with ball and bat. And probably the first time in the whole series they've won three sessions in a row.
Postpublished at 07:01 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match SpecialCook has played with such control and authority. He has hit the ball hard.
Postpublished at 07:01 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentatorCook has had a torrid series but has made his first Ashes hundred since the 2010-11 series. He celebrates in muted fashion.
100 for Cookpublished at 56.4 overs
Eng 191-2
Image source, Getty ImagesA wonderful innings from Alastair Cook.
A woeful delivery from Steve Smith and Cook dismisses it in fine fashion, sweeping hard to the fence to reach his 32nd Test century and first Ashes ton since 2011.
He gave one definite chance - Smith dropping him on 66 off Mitchell Marsh.
Apart from that, it's been a sublime knock, the customary tucks off the pads, cuts and pulls augmented by some delicious punches down the ground.
Eng 187-2published at 56.3 overs
Cook works it off his pads into a gap and scampers two.
He's on 99...
Postpublished at 06:58 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match SpecialYou sound like Geoffrey.
Postpublished at 06:58 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentatorThat was a pie.
Eng 185-2published at 56.1 overs
Yep, this is intriguing. Captain to former captain. Smith to Cook.
And that is an absolute rotter of a delivery. A woeful full toss that Cook duly bangs away through mid-wicket for four.
Cook moves to 97...
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 06:57 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017
#bbccricket
Matt Chapman: Cook doesn't score runs, criticised. Scores runs and people still criticise him.
Dukkhaboy: Completely diagree with England cricket fans moaning their players are doing well after the Ashes are gone. Would you prefer we lose 5-0?
Eng 181-2published at 56 overs
Trail by 146
Cook goes back and cuts Lyon away but can only find Khawaja on the edge of the ring.
Will he get two boundary balls before the close? Not yet at least and Cook has to settle for a dab into leg for a single.
No run for Root off the final two balls. It looks like Steve Smith is going to give himself a bowl...