Smith's ton frustrates England as MCG Test ends in draw

Melbourne [Australia], Dec 30 (ANI): Australia skipper Steve Smith frustrated England bowlers with yet another blistering century as the fourth Ashes Test ended in a draw for the Joe Root-led side here on the fifth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday.

Resuming at yesterday's score of 103-2, Smith brought up his 23rd Test century to bat out a draw for Australia in the last day of the fourth Ashes Test and preserve the hosts' 3-0 lead in the five-match series over England.

Smith notched up an unbeaten knock of 102 runs off 275 balls, including six boundaries, to help Australia declare their second innings at 263 for four and take a lead of 99 runs before the captains of the two sides agreed to end the match midway through the final session.

The Australian skipper was well supported by David Warner, who pulled back an 86-run knock in the second innings to add to his first innings blistering knock of 103 runs.

Along with Smith, Mitchell Marsh also remained unbeaten, his knock of 29 off 166 deliveries kept England well away from the tail.

Though James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Joe Root chipped in with a wicket each for England, they had to struggle hard to break a huge 107-run stand between Smith and Warner.

Earlier, opener Alastair Cook smashed a scorching knock of 244 while Joe Root and Broad contributed 61 and 56, respectively to guide England to a huge total of 491 runs in reply to Australia's first-inning score of 327.

The two sides will now take on each other in an inconsequential final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), beginning January 4.(ANI)