Alastair Cook’s record-breaking double-century kept England in control of the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG.

Cook (244no), with a best of just 37 in his previous 10 innings, resumed on day three with his 32nd Test hundred already in the book – and what followed was remarkable, especially during a ninth-wicket stand of exactly 100 with Stuart Broad (56), as he made up entirely for the fragility of several team-mates.

England’s all-time record run-scorer beat Wally Hammond’s previous Melbourne Cricket Ground-record 200 for a compatriot, and then surpassed Viv Richards‘ best of 209 from any overseas batsman here.

For England, the bottom line of 491 for nine and a first-innings advantage of 164 were riches indeed after their captain Joe Root (61) and others had briefly invited Australia back into the contest.

Cook also moved up to sixth in the global list of top Test runscorers just before stumps, above the great Brian Lara, having already passed his double-hundred by straight-driving his 360th ball for his 23rd four off Jackson Bird after almost nine-and-a-half hours at the crease.

How the tourists needed his sustained return to form too as they try to avoid a series whitewash, after losing the Ashes in Perth last week.