Summary

  • Smith 102* - third century of series

  • M Marsh 29* off 166 balls

  • England take two wickets in day

  • Warner 86, S Marsh 4

  • Australia lead 3-0 in five-Test series

  • Final Test in Sydney starts on 4 Jan

Live Reporting

Jack Skelton and Matthew Henry

  1. Get Involved

    Text 81111

    All the people moaning about Moeen and saying he should be dropped, remember the summer? It was a few months ago and he was Man of the Series?

    Rob J

  2. England fans will be hoping that proves to be mockers from Andrew there.

    The covers are coming off and we'll be back under way shortly...

  3. How's stat?!

    Andrew Samson
    BBC Test Match Special statistician

    David Warner will be the first player to score hundreds in both innings of a Test match four times if he gets there.

  4. Ah yes - I had meant to wish Joe Root a happy 27th birthday when it struck midnight.

    Can't think what possibly distracted me - not a lot has happened so far today.

    Can this rain delay shake the concentration of the otherwise unflappable Steve Smith and David Warner?

    Can England use the break to formulate some new plans?

  5. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    Lovely stuff. The Barmies sang Happy Birthday to Joe Root, who gave them a wave back in appreciation.

  6. So who would you bowl first out of Mark Stoneman (off-spin) and James Vince (right-arm medium)?

  7. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    It is weird weather. The right-hand side of the ground is dry and the left side there is swirling light rain.

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

    It's a shame that the game has got to this stage.

  9. rain stops play

    Rain stops play - Aus 159-2

    Trail by 5

    If you're being harsh, you'd say this rain has put the morning session out of its misery.

    Dawid Malan serves up one delivery to Steve Smith, who flicks it away for a single.

    The rain has got a tad heavier and that's enough for the umpires who signal the covers on.

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

    It's very light. I can't see us going off here.

  11. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    Is it raining? There might be some drizzle in the air.

  12. Aus 158-2

    Trail by 6

    Chris Woakes returns to the attack in place of Tom Curran, who bowled some nice stuff but too many four balls.

    Ah. Woakes dishes up a four ball - Warner flicking it off his pads square to the fence.

    The Aussie opener also worked the first away for two - a sign he's looking to accelerate a bit?

    A decent yorker from Woakes last up that Warner does well to dig out.

    Uh oh. Some fans are starting to take cover...

  13. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    I despair of the fact that Moeen Ali can continue to bowl scared and easily retain his place in the fifth Test. When are we going to see some bravery from England selectors?

    Dave from Birmingham

  14. Aus 152-2

    Warner 77, Smith 37

    Steve Smith works his fellow leg-spinner away to mid-wicket for one.

    Here goes Malan at Warner - three decent deliveries but a poor, short one to finish and the Aussie opener swivels it away for three.

    A colleague on the cricket desk has just started looking up what all 11 England players bowl. Even Jonny Bairstow. Right-arm medium apparently.

  15. Here is some variety though - Dawid Malan is coming on to bowl some leg-spin...

  16. 'More variety on my cheesboard'

    Text 81111

    My festive cheeseboard has more variety than the England bowling attack!

    Mo

    So does the cracker selection box I brought in this evening...

  17. Aus 148-2

    Trail by 16

    Shot! Bit of width from Curran and Warner clatters it through the covers for four.

    A clip to leg brings one and Warner moves onto 74. Tremendous application and adaptation so far.

    Curran then chucks down a slower-ball bouncer that Smith dismissively flicks round the corner for three, Chris Woakes putting in a decent diving stop.

  18. Simon Mann
    BBC Test Match Special commentator

    England haven't really looked like taking a wicket.

  19. Aus 140-2

    Smith works Moeen off the pads for one. Warner taps into the covers for one.

    Not much else to report there.

  20. Get Involved

    #bbccricket

    Reiver Iron: When Australia need to bat all day, you feel they could bat all week, when England need to, you fear a collapse.

    Simon Bell: If Moeen gets picked for the fifth Test I will be amazed. Give Crane a go! He has waited long enough!