MELBOURNE, Dec 30: Steve Smith scored his 23rd Test century to bat out a draw for Australia in the fourth Ashes Test and deny England their first win of the series in Melbourne on Saturday.
The Australia skipper stonewalled the English bowling attack to remain unconquered on 102 for his third century of the series when the Test was called a draw late on the final day.
Smith joined the legendary Don Bradman as the only batsmen to score centuries in four consecutive Melbourne Tests.
He also joined Ricky Ponting as the only batsmen in Test history to have made six centuries in a calendar year on multiple occasions. Australia only lost two wickets on the fifth day but coasted through after lunch to finish on 263 for four with Mitchell Marsh not out on 29. � AFP
Scorecard
Australia first innings 327
England first innings 491
Australia second innings (overnight 2-103): Warner c Vince b Root 86, Smith not out 102, S Marsh c Bairstow b Broad 4, M Marsh not out 29. Extras: (b4) 4. Total: (4 wickets; 124.2 overs) 263. Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-65, 3-172, 4-178. Bowling: Anderson 30-12-46-1, Broad 24-11-44-1, Woakes 26-7-62-1, Curran 20-6-53-0, Ali 13.2-2-32-0, Malan 8-1-21-0, Root 3-2-1-1.
