Smith ton denies England

Australia captain Steve Smith frustrates England with his third century of the series to guide the hosts to safety as the fourth Ashes Test ends in a draw on day five at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.

Smith finished 102 not out and Mitchell Marsh on 29, with Australia on 263 for four and holding a 99-run lead before the captains agreed to end proceedings.

Australia head to the final Test in Sydney 3-0 up in the series.

England's hopes of a consolation victory had disappeared by Tea on the final day, where Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh batted right through the middle session with few problems, adding 47 runs for the loss of no wickets. At the tea break, Marsh was on 10 from 97 balls and Smith had compiled a patient 87 from 228 deliveries. Smith finished as 2017’s highest Test run scorer worldwide, and has registered his sixth hundred of the calendar year as well, which matched his career-best tally of six tons in 2015.