Cook's Magical MCG Masterclass Lifts Ashes Spirits At Last - How Did We Ever Doubt Him?

RENAISSANCE man Alastair Cook was relentless, remorseless and utterly ruthless as he compiled his highest score on Australian soil to put England in a position of total dominance in this fourth Test.

- Chris Stocks

 The Ashes may be gone, but it must not be forgotten that Cook came into this Boxing Day Test fighting for his very future as an international batsman having averaged just 13.83 in the first three matches of this series as England surrendered the Urn.

Those doubts about his longevity can now be kicked into the long grass for the foreseeable future after the opener, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Christmas Day, struck the fifth double hundred of his Test career and second in a year during this masterclass lasting more than 10 hours.

By stumps on day three he was still there unbeaten on 244, passing the 243 he hit against West Indies at Edgbaston in August. Only on 66 and 153, when he was dropped by Steve Smith, did he offer a chance. How Australia’s captain must now be ruing his profligacy.

It left England on 491-9, a first innings lead of 164.

This was arguably Cook’s finest batting display since hitting an unbeaten 235 against Australia at the Gabba at the start of the 201011 series. Back then he had struck three centuries as England won an away Ashes series for the first time in 24 years.

Memories of that sublime winter came flooding back as he flayed Australia’s beleaguered attack to all parts of the MCG and it was hard to believe his highest score of the series before this was the 37 he made during his first innings of the Adelaide Test.