Ashes in a nutshell: All you need to know from day three in Melbourne

It was another memorable day for Alastair Cook as he broke record after record in completing his fifth Test double century. Here's all you need to know from day three at the MCG...

SCORECARD | COOK'S GREATEST KNOCKS

THE REPORT

Alastair Cook completed the fifth double century of his Test career as his batting masterclass earned dominant England a healthy lead of 164 over Australia on day three in Melbourne.

MOMENT OF THE DAY

Cook admitted to being "embarrassed" by his Ashes showing in the first three Tests of the series, but he can put that all firmly behind him now after finishing day three on 244no.

There's not been much for the Barmy Army to shout about on this tour, but when the left-hander punched a Jackson Bird delivery straight down the ground to bring up his fifth double Test century, the England fans inside the MCG erupted.

The G rose as one to salute England's leading Test run scorer, who moved up to sixth on the list of all-time Test run scorers after securing the highest score by a visiting batsman in Melbourne, passing Viv Richards' 208 in 1984.

However, the innings could have come to an end on 153 but for another drop from Australia captain Steve Smith, this time an admittedly tough chance at square leg but with England six down and still trailing by 10 at the time, it proved to be crucial.

STAT OF THE DAY

Alastair Cook overtook Wally Hammond's 1928 innings of 200 as the highest by an England batsman in a Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and then subsequently Viv Richards's score of 208 as the highest by a visiting batsman at the ground.

Read Benedict Bermange's stats HERE!

WHAT THEY SAID...

England batsman ALASTAIR COOK: "I always feel as though I have the backing of the selectors but you still have to deliver the goods and I hadn't done that on this tour, which was very frustrating. I have never thought [about my career drawing to a close], I've always thought about fighting hard and trying to put in a performance.

"The longer it goes the harder it becomes. That's why I am proud I have been able to go to the well again and put in a performance like that. It was probably one of the most emotional last night from where I had been on this tour. It meant a lot. I was then proud that I could back it up and get a real big one for the team.

"It is just a shame that it's three and half, four weeks too late and I will have to live with that for a long time."

Australia coach DARREN LEHMANN: "He [Cook] was fantastic. Full credit to him for the way he concentrated throughout the whole day and yesterday. He certainly showed what Test match batting is about. From our point of view, we worked really hard today, created some opportunities but we didn't take them. That's the key to Test match cricket on these type of wickets.

"You'd like a little bit more bounce [in the pitch], especially for the tail. If we had pace and bounce for the tail they don't get the runs they got at the back end. But full credit to England they played really well. They batted around Alastair Cook, who was a superstar."

TWEETS OF THE DAY

Once again, Cook was the talk of Twitter...

There was also some love for Stuart Broad after his half-century...

WATCH: ATHERS' ASHES REVIEW