England have been held to a draw in the fourth Ashes Test match courtesy of another century from Australia captain Steven Smith.

Joe Root's side began the final day in Melbourne requiring eight wickets to try to force a morale-boosting win, but that never looked likely after David Warner and Smith breezed through the opening 90 minutes of the morning session.

The pair added 71 runs before Warner was dismissed by Root for 86, and Shaun Marsh quickly followed for just four as Stuart Broad picked up his fifth wicket of the match.

However, Smith and Mitchell Marsh batted for almost 50 overs - adding just 85 runs - and it led to an inevitable stalemate, with play only continuing until Smith brought up three figures.

That eventually came after seven hours and 18 minutes at the crease, with his innings of 102 lasting 275 balls, while Marsh had contributed 29 runs off 166 deliveries as Australia reached 263-4, giving the Baggy Greens a lead of 99.

England have avoided what would have been a record-breaking ninth successive defeat in Australia, but the tourists head to Sydney looking to end the series on a high after an improved performance at the MCG.