Alison Mitchell
BBC Test Match Special

He has played like the Stuart Broad of old with the bat.

50 for Broadpublished at 137.1 overs

137.1 overs

Pat Cummins, who has been guilty of too much ineffective short stuff at Stuart Broad, goes short again at the number 10. His eye is firmly in now though - Broad rocking back and pulling away for four to bring up a fine fifty.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Four years ago you could see England were getting dismantled. There were all sorts of fractions and many fall-outs.

One thing that pleases me with this England team is they haven't had any fall-outs. They have just been beaten by a better team in Australian conditions.

This week they have shown a lot of character to come out and play with a huge amount of pride. To see them play in this spirited way is fantastic.

Here comes Nathan Lyon - that's short and Cook can slice it away to third man, but it won't quite reach the fence so he settles for three.

Broad on strike on 47 - sweeping in a nice controlled manner to add another to his total.

Olly: Overnight we have seen the difference between Cook and Root. When the Chef gets in he goes on and on and on to a big score when Root gets in he finds a way to get himself out. One world class, the other a level below

Barry W: Herculean effort from Alastair Cook, especially with the critics sharpening their knives. Good to see Broad waving the willow with some effect again too. Entertaining partnership.

Broad is in a spot of bother - not due to the bowling but because a gull has flown across his eyeline as he prepares to face Cummins. Dead ball.

Cummins goes too straight and Broad flicks away to move to 46.

Cook punches another away for one. That pesky gull is bothering Broad again as he can't work Cummins fine down leg.

He does get another run next up, driving square as Cameron Bancroft half stops it. Cook picks up one from the last, steering to deep backward point.

Andy

Charlie

Lyon offers Cook some room outside off and the double centurion carves it away through backward point for three.

Another single to Broad and then Cook clips away for a couple.

I understand why England might consider a declaration - there is gloom overhead and it presents a tricky spell for the Aussie openers to negotiate.

But the hosts look bereft of ideas out there - surely plenty of merit in just grinding away the runs and tiring them out.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

Is this an indication of anything? Is this a tactical glove change?

Phil

Yet another tapped single for Cook into the covers.

Eek, Broad almost chops on, an edge off the underside of the bat running into the pads and somehow missing the stumps.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

There is a bit of fun going on in the Channel 9 box because Shane Warne said Stuart Broad wouldn't get 100 runs in the series. He is itching towards that and is on 89.

Cooks dabs into the covers for one. No slip now for Cummins against Broad. Remarkable.

The Aussies quick goes short, Broad backs away and tries to slice it up and over but misses.

Another single for Broad and that's 450 for England, a lead of 123.

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

The Australians are letting the game slip. England are enjoying it now. This is what we expected at the start of the series with Cook, Root, Anderson and Broad. Unfortunately it's a bit late but it's good to see.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special

I would be tempted for England to get David Warner in there batting tonight.

Cook pushes into the covers for one and the field goes back for Broad.

They can't stop that though - Lyon strays wide and Broad slices through point for four.

There will be talk of whether England should declare and get the Aussies openers in tonight. I reckon they should just be looking to amass as many runs as possible - it won't be easy batting last on this pitch.

Image source, Getty Images

Just waking up? You've missed the Alastair Cook show.

Despite wickets falling around him he has just reached his fifth Test double century and is batting England into a big first-innings lead.

England lost Joe Root early to a poor shot and both Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali fell cheaply with the latter making a frantic 20 off 14 balls.

But Cook has been supported by the tail, adding 59 with Chris Woakes, and Stuart Broad is currently into the thirties in the supporting role.

England's lead is over 100 with two wickets remaining.

Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Melbourne

Jackson Bird is getting the Mitchell Johnson song. He'll be man of the series in four years' time.

Image source, Getty Images

Broad backs away to work Cummins into the covers for one. Cook then flicks into leg for two.

An inside edge goes away safely square and Cook picks up another.

Cummins goes short at Broad, who flirts with playing at it but evades in the end.

Broad then gives himself room, backing to leg and carving it out through the covers for another four. Terrific innings from the number 10.

Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on Twitter

Cook's straight-driving this game has been fantastic. I haven’t seen him hit the ball so hard down the ground. His mind is always strong but his technical attacking play has been as good as I have seen here. Gary Palmer, his batting coach, will be delighted.