Even in an Ashes Test match that was completely going England’s way, Australian skipper Steve Smith again found a way to make the match about himself in the final day. The 4th Test in Melbourne was set to be a dead rubber with England already reclaiming the urn by winning the first three Tests in the series. But the visitors, who were playing for pride, saw things going their way with former captain Alastair Cook scoring a double hundred and the Three Lions taking a good lead in the first innings. But with the help of rain delays and Steve Smith’s century, Australia ensured they do not give away the match in the second innings and went on to reach 263/4 in the final session, with a lead of 99 runs. Smith completed his 23rd Test ton in the proceedings and England bowlers struggled once again to get him out. The match ended in a draw – one which has come now after 13 Tests between the two.

Australia XI: David Warner, Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (c), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Pat Cummins, Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

England XI: Alastair Cook, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Joe Root (c), Dawid Malan, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Tom Curran, Stuart Broad, James Anderson