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. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    If we remove Steve Smith's scores, England are winning the Ashes.

  2. Aus 223-4

    Lead by 59

    Mitchell Marsh's strike rate is currently only just nudging into double figures. He doesn't seem bothered about runs. Just survival.

    A single takes Smith 15 short of a third century of the series. Marsh blocks out the rest of the over from Anderson.

    Still no breakthrough in the afternoon session for England.

  3. Stephan Shemilt
    BBC Sport in Melbourne

    Steve Smith has just faced his 1,200th delivery of the series. That's 200 overs on his own.

    Steve SmithGetty Images

  4. Aus 222-4

    40 overs remaining

    Joe Root has turned back to his big guns. Jimmy A from one end and now Stuart Broad from the other. Moeen Ali is banished back to the outfield and is away picking at his finger looking every bit a man low on confidence.

    Gary Ballance looks like he wants this game to be over. England's spare batsman on this tour is slouched in a plastic chair on the boundary with his hand over his eyes. I think that's only the second time I've seen him all tour.

    Unlike Anderson, Broad can't find any movement. A maiden. Still Australia are stuck on Nelson.

  5. How do you get Smith out?

    Text 81111

    We've had a think about this in the office, and come to the conclusion the best way to get Smith out is to bowl using a cannon. Either that or blindfold him.

    Nathan, Oxford

  6. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    England realistically have 20 overs to get these six wickets. They can do it - they got the last five wickets in the first innings for 13 runs.

    But the body language isn't great right now.

  7. Aus 222-4

    Lead by 58

    Jimmy is hiding the ball in his run up, a suggestion he thinks there may be some reverse swing out there, but there doesn't seem to be any.

    Cancel that! An absolute beauty from Jimmy Anderson on the final ball. A hint of movement away but no luck for England. It passes Steve Smith's edge once again. Jimmy can't believe it.

  8. James Anderson is back into the attack. A last throw of the dice from Joe Root?

  9. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    His batting has not been up to muster and if Moeen Ali doesn't bowl well in the next hour then I can't see any way he can play at Sydney.

  10. Aus 222-4

    Smith 84, M Marsh 10

    Ah. Gary Pratt. An Ashes legend.

    Can Moeen Ali nip out a couple of batsmen? With the game heading towards a draw his place in the side seems like one of the few things still up from grabs in this session.

    No spin and Moeen bowls a little too short and the batsmen are able to play off the back foot. Smith knocks two and the Australian total moves onto Nelson. Can it strike for England?

  11. How do you get Smith out?

    Text 81111

    Anyone know where Gary Pratt is and whether we can get him air dropped into the field of play?

    Jack, Oxfordshire

  12. Aus 221-4

    Lead by 57

    For a split second there is a chance of a run-out as Mitchell Marsh is slow to make his ground at the danger end, but Jimmy Anderson is isn't particularly sharp in getting to the ball - fair enough for a man who has bowled 53 overs in the match - and the chance is gone.

    Malan tries his leg-spin from round the wicket to Smith but no change in fortunes.

  13. Graeme Swann
    Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

    The main problem with this pitch for me isn't so much the lack of pace and bounce, it's the fact that even after five days it hasn't broken up at all. The mud is too compacted.

  14. Aus 218-4

    Ha! Brilliant. I love that last suggestion. Make Smith use one of those little replica bats they give you to get autographs on.

    With the ball 18 overs old Moeen comes into the attack but he doesn't look any more threatening than previously in the series. It's spin at both ends now.

  15. Geoffrey Boycott
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    I would not be able to repeat what Fred Trueman would say to me if I'd asked him to play on this pitch.

  16. How do you get Smith out?

    #bbccricket

  17. Aus 217-4

    Lead by 53

    The bowlers may be losing belief but Jonny Bairstow is still yelping away behind the stumps. He thinks one of Malan's deliveries has clipped Smith's pad before bat but I fear it may have been outside the line any case.

    Joe Root seems to be asking Bairstow whether it is worth a gamble of a review and the wicketkeeper looks inquisitively towards Smith. I don't think he's going to tell you if it was indeed pad first, Jonny.

  18. Ed Smith
    Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special

    You sense a little bit of belief is draining out of the England bowlers here.

  19. Aus 216-4

    Lead by 52

    The fans are still making quite some noise as the chances of a positive result for England diminish over by over.

    That's a good shout from Ed. How else could England get Smith out?

    Steve SmithGetty Images

  20. How do you get Smith out?

    Text 81111

    The Barmy Army should send out a streaker, that could break Smith's attention for a ball or two.

    Ed, London