Ashes 4th test: England's Alastair Cook hits double century on third day

The stoic opening left-hander reached 200 late on the third day, rebounding from a lean scoring series in the opening three Tests.

England's Alastair Cook celebrates making 200 runs against Australia during the third day of their Ashes cricket test match in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2017. (AP)

MELBOURNE:  Alastair Cook hit a double hundred to defy Australian attempts to wrap up England's first innings in the fourth Ashes in Melbourne on Thursday.

The stoic opening left-hander reached 200 late on the third day, rebounding from a lean scoring series in the opening three Tests.

It was Cook's fifth double hundred in 151 Tests with his highest score of 294 coming against India in Birmingham in 2011.