Eng 434-8published at 131 overs

131 overs

Lead by 107

If you're just waking up - welcome to the most fun England have been to watch in this series.

Alastair Cook is unbeaten on 209 and, at the other end, Stuart Broad carts Nathan Lyon back over his head for six.

Lyon over-pitches and Cook drives him away through the covers for there.

That takes Cook to 209 - the highest score by a visiting batsman at the MCG, beating Viv Richards' 208.

They'll have to change that sign in the bar.

Guernsey Yankee: This is a great performance from Broad, really important runs, and allowing Cook to take most of the strike. Every run crucial now. If these two can stay in another 10 overs or so, Australia will have a real job on their hands (fingers crossed while typing to avoid mockers).

Movieman: Cook has just prolonged his career for at least 2 more years...though England needed him to show his experience and class in the first three Tests to save the urn.

James Doe: It’s amazing how well Cook bats when the pressure is off. That is one of his best ever knocks. Well played, Chef.

Bird short again and Broad hooks it away, maniacally sprinting back for the second and even putting in the drive to ensure he makes his ground.

That wasn't necessary - the throw hadn't even made it halfway to Paine yet.

Great fun all the same. England nearing a lead of 100.

Cook leans on a straight one, working it out towards the boundary but only gets two as the ball comes up short of the rope.

A tap into the covers brings one as Cook jogs off strike.

Bird goes short at Broad but down at 80mph, the number 10 just leans back and clatters it away through the covers for four.

That's the 50 partnership. Perhaps these two should bat together more often...

Russell Prose: The Ashes might be lost but there is something poetic about Cook’s innings. A reminder to all of us what a truly great batsman he’s been and still is.

Bowser: What a man Cook is. What a magic time to be alive.

Richard Hinman: Double century for Cook, unbelievable effort given the pressure he was under before the Test.

What a tremendous effort from Alastair Cook. A man so many speculated about during this series - his taciturn nature perhaps leading many to question whether the desire was still there.

It's there alright. You don't score 32 Test centuries and nearly 12,000 runs without it.

The series may be gone but this has been an utter delight to watch, the familiar tucks, cuts and pulls accentuated with some delicious strikes down the ground.

Meanwhile, Broad calmly taps away six Lyon deliveries for a maiden.

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

He is an amazing guy, Alastair Cook. He is Roger Federer-ish in how he is always in control of his emotions. It is such contrast to David Warner who is always jumping around when he gets to a hundred. It couldn't happen to a nicer bloke.

Image source, Getty Images

More runs for Cook as he rocks it to backward square for one.

More runs for England as Broad glances it away to third man and scampers three.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

A lovely shot to bring up the double hundred. A huge roar from the England supporters.

200 for Alastair Cookpublished at 127.4 overs

127.4 overs

There it is! And what a way to do it! Alastair Cook sumptuously punches Bird down the ground and away to the fence to bring up a fine double century.

He moves to 202 - the highest scorer by an England batsman in Tests at the MCG, beating Wally Hammond's mark of 200.

Image source, BBC Sport

Sensible stuff from Broad, glancing a wide-ish one through backward point to return Cook to the strike.

All suitably refreshed, here we go again.

The returning Jackson Bird to Alastair Cook, who knocks it through mid-off for a single to move to 198.

Cook will have to wait a little longer for the chance to reach 200.

That's drinks. Useful cameo from Broad so far too. How long can England keep it going?

The tourists lead by 79 runs.

A more conventional stroke from Cook, flicking it away for one to bring Broad back on strike.

Broad paddles for a single and here comes Cook on 196...

The England opener settles for another single though, pushing it into the off-side.

Broad defends the last.

Simon Mann
BBC Test Match Special commentator

When do you ever see Alastair Cook playing that shot?!

Remarkable. Alastair Cook, on 191, charges down the pitch at Nathan Lyon, lofting him over mid-on and away to the fence for four.

Wonderful. Cook moves to 195. I will really have seen it all if he whacks it for six to reach 200.

Meanwhile, that sees England bring up 400.

Hazlewood goes at Broad, who pulls it away nicely to deep square leg for one.

So here is Cook on 190 - will Steve Smith bring himself on soon to help him get to a double century?

For now it's Hazlewood and Cook leaves outside off. A short one sees Cook guiding a pull shot down to wide fine leg for one.

That leaves two balls for Broad to face. A leg-stump yorker that Broad swivels out of the way off and the ball just whisks past the stump.

The last one is banged in but it's too short or not short enough and Broad flays it away through point for four.

Geoffrey Boycott
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

England have just got to keep going. Every run is vital. You don't know what will happen when Australia bat.

Broad won't shelve the sweep despite that lbw shout - bringing it out again and getting a tickle on it down to fine leg for one.

Lyon to Cook who knocks it to short cover for no run. Same again off the final ball.