MACQUARIE’S SUMMER OF CRICKET LINE-UP: Mike Hussey, Damien Fleming, Ian Chappell, Glenn McGrath, John Emburey, Carl Rackemann, Tim Lane, and Bruce Eva.

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STUMPS!

England dominated Day 3 at the MCG, but it was Alastair Cooks day after he knocked up the highest score of any visiting player after passing Viv Richards record of 208 in 1984/85. He is not out 244 and looks to be going no where anytime soon. Cook has effectively taken the game away from the Aussies with the likely result now to be a draw unless Australia can chase down England’s total and put up a respectable total for England to chase.

England have ended the day at 9/491. Australia are now trailing by 164 runs.

Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood all took three wickets for Australia on what was a rough day for the home side.

Enjoy the days highlights here:

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• Chappell scathing in assessment of Ali after MCG madness
• Root fails to convert again as England near lead

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RECAP DAY 3

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Classic Cook! 

Alastair Cook is still in, and in the 200s, 215 to be precise in what is now the largest score ever compiled by an opposition player at the MCG.

Cook goes past Sir Vivian Richards as the MCGs highest opposition scorer, and is still going, looking largely untroubled as England’s lead grows with Stumps approaching on Day 3.

209 for Cook – That is now the highest score for a visiting player on the MCG. Surpassing Viv Richards in 84/85 #Ashes

— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) December 28, 2017

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The commentary team was joined by Australian Cricket legend Dennis Lillee to discuss his career on the 40th anniversary of the Centenary Test where Lillee took 11 wickets for the match.

There is a bit of royalty in the house! DK Lillee joins @Beva3AW right now! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/T6A9AkeM81

— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) December 28, 2017

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It was the Alastair Cook show in the second session with the former skipper dominating the Aussie attack and returning from Tea 173 not out.

Listen to all the excitement from the second session here:

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England Lead!! 

England have passed Australia’s first innings score of 327 at the MCG in the middle session on Day 3. Alastair Cook has been the chief destroyer passing 150 and currently sits 161 not out. Joe Root provided some issues for Australia before Pat Cummins removed him. Nathan Lyon then took control removing Johny Bairstow for 22 and a reckless Moeen Ali for 20, as the English all rounder tried to hit the Aussie spinner out of the attack.

England will now look to build a big lead as England try to claim their first win of this series.

ENGLAND LEAD!

The visitors have passed Australias first innings total and now lead in their first innings with Cook still unbeaten on 161 not out. Leading by 1. #Ashes

— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) December 28, 2017

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Alastair Cook has continued his dominance at the MCG passing 150 in the middle session on Day 3. Cook has played a nearly faultless knock and brought up the 150 off 260 balls. It seems the Alastair Cook of old is back in town, and looks set to go even bigger if his teammates hang around with him.

150!!

Alastair Cook has played a monumental innings and is still going!

Flem “It has been a fine knock, its been skillful and it was full of determination” #Ashes

— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) December 28, 2017

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LUNCH AT THE MCG

The Test is delicately poised at the lunch break on Day 3 with Australia mounting a fightback after a tough opening hour of play. Alastair Cook is still in the middle and sits 134 not out. Joe Root was dismissed by Pat Cummins for 61 and Dawid Malan for 14 by Josh Hazelwood after taking the new ball.

England sit at 4/264 trailing by 63 runs.

Relive all the first session highlights here:

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Wicket! 

Josh Hazelwood has dismissed Dawid Malan just before lunch on Day 3 in controversial fashion with replays showing that Malan had inside edged the ball before it his pad. Malan decided not to review it, which meant Australia get away with one and may have swung the momentum.

Australia took the new ball after the 80th over, and it did wonders with Hazelwood striking with just the second ball with the new kookaburra.

The match is evenly poised with the English only 78 runs behind Australias first innings total.

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Wicket! 

Australia have claimed their first wicket of the third day with Pat Cummins claiming Joe Root for 61. Root took Cummins on when he played a hook shot off a short ball but didn’t get all of it and hit it straight down the throat of Nathan Lyon who was fielding at deep square leg.

England are 3/219 with Alastair Cook still untroubled on 119.

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Mike Hussey has broken the news that Steve Smith has suffered from Gastro overnight and is not feeling well. Smith warmed up with the team, but may be off the field throughout the day. Pat Cummins is also not looking good in the warm up, after leaving the field ill on Day 2.

Huss: “Steve Smith has gone down with gastro, he is out there warming up, but not in a good way” #Ashes

— Macquarie Cricket (@MRNCricket) December 27, 2017

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Welcome to Day 3 of the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG where we have a serious battle on our hands. England look to be edging ahead thanks to some strong bowling performances on Day 2, before former skipper Alastair Cook proved why he is a world class batsman with a classy knock of 104 not out to see England end the day 2/192. They trail by 135 runs.

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Catch up on all the action from Day 2 at the MCG

• Cook leads England response at MCG
• Warne demands more from struggling Khawaja
• Lanning excited for the future of women’s cricket

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RECAP DAY 2