Australian captains are not known for their generosity but, with Alastair Cook seven short of his hundred as the last over of the day dawned, Steve Smith presented Cook with a belated Christmas gift, wrapping, tinsel and all, by bringing himself on to bowl. A full toss, leg-stump half-volley and long hop later, Cook had his 32nd Test hundred and a full house of hundreds across Australia’s five main Test grounds. His relief, and England’s, was palpable as he, and they, ended their best day of the tour. Given that Smith had earlier spilled Cook at slip, England’s greatest run-getter had much to thank Australia’s captain for. Before the Melbourne Test, with the Ashes gone and spirits sinking at home, England had reached the “something…

Source: The Times December 27, 2017 07:41 UTC