Root gave England a glimmer with the wicket of Warner before Smith struck a painstaking 23rd Test ton as game was drawn...
Saturday 30 December 2017 11:56, UK
Joe Root ends David Warner's vigil before Steve Smith collects another ton... all you need to know from day five of the drawn MCG Test.
SCORECARD | ASHES 2017/18 HOMEPAGE
Steve Smith compiled a dogged 102 not out to frustrate England as Australia batted out for a draw in the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne to ensure they will take a 3-0 lead into the final Test in Sydney.
MOMENT OF THE DAY
Birthday boy Joe Root gave England a lift on the day he turned 27 by tempting the previously obdurate David Warner (86 off 227 deliveries) into a loose stroke in the morning session, Warner, perhaps switching off after a short rain interval, skewing to James Vince at cover.
Shaun Marsh (4) was also dismissed prior to lunch but his brother Mitchell (29no off 166) and Smith blunted England after joining forces with Australia only leading by 14 - their partnership totaling 85 on a dead pitch by the time Smith and Root shook hands in the final session.
STAT OF THE DAY
Root celebrated his birthday by taking the wicket of Warner - the only other England captain to take a Test wicket on his birthday was Arthur Gilligan, who dismissed Charles Kelleway in Sydney on December 23, 1924.
WHAT THEY SAID
Both captains bemoaned the MCG wicket...
England captain, JOE ROOT, speaking to BT Sport: "It's as flat a wicket as you'll see. If you played on it for another four days I reckon it'd be exactly the same. Credit has to go to our guys for taking the wickets we did.
"We've outplayed Australia throughout this game. I know it's a draw but that's something to be encouraged by as we move forward. We can certainly build on that and come away from Sydney with a win.
"We'll have to have a look at the conditions when we get there [before deciding on any team changes]. We'll get a gauge of things and see how the guys pull up after this game. We'll make a decision when we get there."
Australia captain STEVE SMITH, speaking to BT Sport: "It was nice to be there at the end and get the boys to a draw. Turning up today there was really only two results that could happen - an England win or a draw as we couldn't get enough runs to get ahead of the game.
"It was about digging deep but if you got in, faced a few balls and got used to the pace of the wicket and what the ball was doing, then it was really hard to get out. I don't think it was a great wicket - it was flat and hard to score runs, which was a bit of a pity.
"Hopefully they can find something to do with the wicket as Boxing Day is a huge occasion and I don't think people want to come and see that every year. Maybe if they put grass on it or get it to spin somehow, it can give something to the bowlers. There was reverse swing but the ball got so soft."
TWEETS OF THE DAY
ATHERS' ASHES REVIEW - DAY FIVE
