Steven Smith caps epic 2017 with hundred to deny England

England's hopes of a consolation victory in Melbourne disappeared with another Steven Smith century

'It's a shame it's taken until now' - Root

There was no victory for England, but Joe Root could at least take consolation from a side that had finally competed with Australia

Which kind of pitch is worst for Tests?

If you were a part of the ICC's pitch-monitoring process, what would you clamp down hardest on?

MCG drop-ins under review after bore draw

Outgoing Cricket Victoria chief executive Tony Dodemaide suggested the ground's drop-in wicket square was overdue to be dug out and remade from scratch

Smith continues his prolific run

Steven Smith hit yet another hundred - the 23rd of his Test career - to ensure a draw in the Boxing Day Test

Warner tames the beast within (almost)

There was little in David Warner's career history to suggest he could bat Australia to a draw on a slow pitch - but he has long proved he is more than a six-hitting circus act

Relentless Smith finds a fresh ally

Steven Smith gave praise for his partner on the fifth day at the MCG, as Mitchell Marsh slipped into a supporting role with a mature, unbeaten innings

Warner, Smith and the rain frustrate England's push

Alastair Cook carried his bat for 244 not out but England's hopes of victory were hampered by the weather and some obdurate batting

A pitch that saps Australia's will to win

Darren Lehmann had few thoughts of an Australian victory at the start of the day and a sluggish MCG pitch did nothing to challenge that view

Fair game or moral outrage? How the argument raged

ESPNcricinfo's ball by ball coverage captured the passions of the ball tampering debate. Here are some of the highlights

Cook's masterful 244* builds commanding lead

Alastair Cook scored his fifth Test double century and added 100 for the ninth-wicket with Stuart Broad as England seized control of the fourth Test

Glutton for punishment... Cook shows appetite of old

Alastair Cook gobbled up several more records during one of his most memorable Test knocks - suggesting there could still be plenty more to come

Cook's double delight puts him in elite company

Stats highlights from an eventful third day at Melbourne, where Alastair Cook recorded his second double-century in Australia

The Ashes is sinking into the mire of its own hogwash

George Dobell observes a ball tampering beat-up at the MCG and not for the first time in this Ashes series doesn't like what he sees

MCG pitch battle spotlights issue for Australia

The surface prepared for the Boxing Day Test has come in for criticism from all sides, with only Adelaide currently succeeding in getting the balance right

'What's the opposite of a Shane Watson?'

Twitter reactions to James Vince and Dawid Malan not using the DRS

Bayliss bemused as England are drawn into 'ball-tampering' row

Television footage appeared to show James Anderson digging his fingernail into the ball on a rain-affected fourth day of the fourth Test at Melbourne

Cook's drought-breaking hundred puts England on top

Alastair Cook scored his first Ashes hundred since January 2011 to back up excellent work from England's pace attack on a day where the visitors dominated

Broad rediscovers his competitive edge

Stuart Broad believes a more attacking mindset was key to his much-improved performance at the MCG

Cook can now determine his future on his own terms

Alastair Cook emerged from a troubled phase of his career to reassert the qualities that have served England well for so long

Shaun Marsh stands up

It may not be enough for Australia at the MCG but, in a team beset by batting problems, Shaun Marsh has played a key role in regaining the Ashes

Australia blunted on day of toil

With Mitchell Starc missing and Pat Cummins unwell, Australia's attack struggled to make an impact having failed to add customary lower-order runs

Cook 'hurt and frustrated' at failure to influence series

Alastair Cook said he was proud to have showcased once again his ability to "go to the well" in recording his 32nd Test century

England battle but Warner, Smith put Australia in charge

David Warner survived being caught off no-ball on 99 before Steven Smith cemented Australia's position in the evening session

The battle of lengths

England's seamers have been more effective than Australia's when bowling a good length, and this MCG pitch could test Australia's ability to take wickets off the short or full deliveries

Moeen's Ashes ills are low point of sickly day

Moeen Ali has had an unhappy Ashes tour and an attritional Melbourne pitch did nothing to alleviate the suffering

Curran reveals truth of no-ball agony

Tom Curran became the third England bowler in recent years to miss out on a maiden Test wicket because of a no-ball - but it was because of over-ambition rather than carelessness

Oh, no-ball!

Prolific Warner joins elite 6000 club

Stats highlights from Day 1 of the fourth Test between Australia and England

No day-night Ashes Test in 2019 - Harrison

Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, has effectively ruled out the scheduling of a day/night Ashes Test when Australia tour England in 2019

MCG pitch rated poor by ICC

Australian cricket has been embarrassed by the ICC rating the MCG drop-in pitch for the Boxing Day Ashes Test as "poor" following a dull draw in which only 24 wickets were taken over five days

Sore hand forces Smith to make technical tweak

Australia captain Steven Smith admitted that he may have to use more of his top hand and be slightly less wristy after copping a freakish blow to his hand at training ahead of the fourth Ashes Test

Tom Curran's competitive streak behind Test debut - Root

The 22-year-old bowler will replace the injured Craig Overton and will make his debut in the Boxing Day Test in front of a first-day crowd that couldexceed 90,000

Smith and Warner transcend the sluggish G

Steve Smith continued the form of his life, as David Warner produced his best innings of the summer. It was a daunting combination for England

England never ever lose eight away Test matches on the trot

Also, not everything in the '60s was sexy

For Australia, 'tis the season to be jolly

Brydon Coverdale previews the fourth Test at the MCG as Steven Smith chases batting records and Tom Curran may make a Test debut for England