Ashes: Alastair Cook's double century guides England to 164-run lead on Day 3

Melbourne, Dec 28 (CRICKETNMORE) - Opener Alastair Cook remained unbeaten on 244 as England scored 491/9, taking a 164-run lead against Australia at stumps on the third day of the fourth Ashes Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

Later, Stuart Broad (56) played a crucial 63-ball knock pairing with Cook which contained eight boundaries and one six, before falling prey to a Cummins delivery which was taken at deep by Usman Khwaja. 

The 100-run partnership between Broad and Cook also became the highest eighth wicket stand for England at the MCG. 

Broad also became the English batsman to score the highest number of runs coming in at number 10 in Australia -- the previous joint record was held by Tich Freeman and David Allen who scored 50 runs each at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in 1924 and 1966 respectively. 

Following the dismissal, James Anderson played fifteen balls but failed to get off the mark. 

Brief scores: England 491/9 in first innings (Alastair Cook 244 not out, Joe Root 61, Stuart Broad 56; Josh Hazlewood 3/95) against Australia 327.