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

  1. How's stat?!published at 06:08 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

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  2. Eng 139-2published at 43 overs

    Trail by 188

    Joe Root has played a few delicate shots through the slips intentionally in this innings but I'm not sure whether he meant this one or not. Hazlewood finds his edge but due to Root's soft hands the ball bounces just short of the diving Steve Smith who this time cannot prevent the boundary.

    Hazlewood beats the bat of Cook a few balls later. That's a really good over. Hazlewood has been a cut above the other Australian bowlers so far.

  3. Eng 134-2published at 42 overs

    Not just this Test, Ebony. I think it's the first time we can say that all series.

    Nathan Lyon has dismissed Alastair Cook seven times in his career but so far to the spinner Cook has looked comfortable.

    With little threat from the bowler in the over Root decides to keep things interesting by taking a tight single but the throw from mid-on misses. I think he'd have been in... just.

  4. Postpublished at 06:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

    Ebony Rainford-Brent
    Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match Special

    I would take England's position over Australia's right now. That's the first time I've been able to say that in this Test.

  5. If you're just joining us...published at 06:00 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

    Tom CurranImage source, Getty Images

    ...here's what you've missed. Australia started the day on 244-3 with Steve Smith carrying on where he left off yesterday. But suddenly the Aussie skipper dragged on a wide short ball from Tom Curran for 76, giving the England debutant a first Test wicket and sparking a collapse.

    Another drag-on saw Chris Woakes bowl Mitchell Marsh, whose brother Shaun was trapped lbw for 61 by a resurgent Stuart Broad.

    With the ball keeping low at times, James Anderson removed Tim Paine thanks to a third chop on, before he and Broad blitzed away the tail - Australia losing their final five wickets for just 13 runs to be bowled out for 327.

    In reply, Alastair Cook has been mainly imperious, save for being dropped by Steve Smith at first slip on 66. Joe Root has also battled admirably.

    The two wickets to fall? Mark Stoneman got a leading edge trying to attack Nathan Lyon, who took a tremendous catch above his head. Then James Vince was lbw to Josh Hazlewood, with replays suggesting he actually got an inside edge on it - but the Hampshire man didn't review.

  6. Eng 132-2published at 41 overs

    Cook 72, Root 21

    Jonny Bairstow, due in at number six, has his feet up on the England balcony. That's how confident he is in these two.

    Steve Smith knows he needs a breakthrough and turns back to his most threatening bowler. Josh Hazlewood returns.

    Hazlewood is up at his usual pace but this pitch looks really slow with a ball that is now 40 overs old. Root tries to cut but gets a bottom edge that goes to slip on the bounce and Steve Smith does well to prevent more runs.

  7. Eng 132-2published at 40 overs

    Trail by 195

    Beautiful. Alastair Cook is batting close to his best in this innings. He cracks one off the back foot through the covers and it whistles over the green grass to the the boundary.

    Lyon tightens his line and Cook plays a couple of risky cuts for no run.

    That earlier boundary brought up the 50 partnership between these two. Cook is rattling along at a very healthy scoring rate. His 72 runs have come from just 123 balls.

  8. Postpublished at 05:51 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

    Loud cheers around the MCG can only mean one thing. Cult hero Nathan Lyon is back into the attack.

    Can he break this partnership?

    RootImage source, AFP
  9. Eng 128-2published at 39 overs

    Trail by 199

    Jackson BirdImage source, AFP

    Jackson Bird keeps on plugging away with his 85mph right-arm seam. He has a funny stutter at the start of his run up that makes him look as though he's struggling with arthritis after 70 years of wear and tear.

    For all the Aussie bluster ahead of the match in response to Jimmy Anderson, Bird definitely is not as quick as Starc and Australia look to be missing their star bowler a little on this flat pitch.

  10. Postpublished at 05:48 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

    Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    Ashes Pashes on the big screen during the break, cricket's version of the Kisscam. You don't get that at Lord's.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 05:46 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

    #bbccricket

    Sophie Haslehurst: Up to drive back from Surrey to Cheltenham - I cant wait to enjoy some TMS on the way. Best news to wake up to Cook still in and playing well with his skipper.

  12. drinks break

    Eng 127-2published at 38 overs

    Trail by 200

    Yelps from behind the stumps as Mitchell Marsh probes away from round the wicket to Alastair Cook. Settle down. That hit the middle of Cookie's bat!

    These two so far are providing England with a partnership they desperately needed in the first three Tests. They're rotating the strike well and wearing down the Aussie attack.

    That'll help too. With Tim Paine up to the stumps Marsh bowls down the leg side and the wicketkeeper has no chance. Four very harsh byes.

    That's drinks.

  13. Postpublished at 05:40 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

    Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    MCG

    The packed bar behind the members' enclosure. The chatter reverberates off the glass and concrete like a noisy train station.

  14. Eng 131-2published at 37 overs

    Cook 66, Root 20

    That is an outstanding set-up you've got going there, Joe! It's always good to know you're out there when we're typing away in the early hours. Is anyone else doing something similar? Or is it a duvet on sofa type of occasion. Let us know!

    Patient batting from Joe Root. He blocks the good deliveries in Bird's latest over before clipping a single on the final ball off his laces.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 05:35 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

    #bbccricket

    Joe Cowles: Knowle Village CC's nightwatchmen still hanging in there.

    Knowle Village CC tweetImage source, Twitter / @joeycowlesy
  16. Eng 120-2published at 36 overs

    Cook 66, Root 19

    England have scored at a healthy 3.70 runs per over in the last 10 overs but the last few moments have shown there is always danger for Cook.

    Joe Root meanwhile is doing what he does best and working the ball around the outfield and collecting singles.

    Tim Paine is still standing up to the stumps when Cook is batting. Marsh isn't express pace but with him bowling in the low 80s mph that takes some handy glovework.

  17. Postpublished at 05:29 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

    Jim Maxwell
    BBC Test Match Special

    Clearly going down the leg side.

  18. Eng 117-2published at 35 overs

    Trail by 210

    Cook dropImage source, Reuters

    Can England make Steve Smith pay for that drop? This partnership between England's two most experienced batsmen is already worth 30.

    That's lovely, Ian Bell-esque batting from Joe Root. He guides the ball through the slips again with soft hands and it runs down for four.

    More runs! An over-correction from Jackson Bird. Root whips one off his toes for three.

    Bird finds a bit of swing on the final ball and Cook falls over a little and the ball hits his pad. Another big appeal but that was going down leg.

  19. Postpublished at 05:25 Greenwich Mean Time 27 December 2017

    Glenn McGrath
    Ex-Australia pace bowler on BBC Test Match Special

    Steve SmithImage source, PA

    It came fast and low and Steve Smith had a couple of grabs at it. He probably should have had it.

  20. dropped catch

    Cook dropped on 66published at 33.5 overs

    Cook 66, Root 9

    Mitchell MarshImage source, Getty Images

    A big moment in this match? Steve Smith has dropped Alastair Cook at first slip. Tim Paine is up to the stumps with Mitchell Marsh bowling so Smith is on his own 15 yards behind the wicket and the ball goes quickly, low to his right following an edged drive. Smith seems to have it in his grasp but as he juggles the ball spills out onto the turf.