Melbourne: Darren Lehmann, the Australia head coach, has accepted thoughts of a 5-0 Ashes win are far from his mind after Alastair Cook’s unbeaten 244 sent a host of records tumbling when driving Joe Root’s side to 491 for nine at the close on day three and a lead of 164 runs in the fourth Test in Melbourne.
“It was obviously a tough day. I thought our bowlers bowled well but Alastair Cook was simply brilliant,” Lehmann said. “He just batted a very long time and he was certainly more aggressive than he was in the other tests.
“He played brilliantly and showed some of the younger guys how sometimes you’ve just got to tough it out.”
Cook was well supported by England’s lower order, which had also struggled in the previous matches, when he needed their help most.
Stuart Broad made a swashbuckling 56 batting at 10, and was at the non-striker’s end when Cook passed the major his milestones, while Chris Woakes (26), Jonny Bairstow (22) and Moeen Ali (20) all made important contributions.
England captain Joe Root chipped in with a patient 61 but threw his wicket away before lunch when he holed out at deep square leg but it mattered little as the tourists turned the tables and all but ended Australia’s hopes of a series sweep.
The Australians struggled in the absence of key strike bowler Mitchell Starc, who was ruled out of the match with a right foot injury. His replacement Bird failed to take any wickets while pacemen Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon captured three wickets each after toiling hard.
“We certainly didn’t go into the game looking that far ahead,” Lehmann said. “Those things are nice if they go that way but the goal is win the Ashes.
“Full credit to England, we’ve just been outplayed by a better side at the moment.”
