Alastair Cook has posted an unbeaten 244 for England at the close of day three of the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne.

The 33-year-old notched up his third highest Test score - and the fifth double century of his career - on a profitable day for the tourists, who closed 491-9 after building on an overnight score of 192-2.

The former England captain had a 138-run partnership with his successor Joe Root (61), adding 59 with Chris Woakes (26) then passing the 200-mark with Stuart Broad (56).

Cook's ninth-wicket stand with Broad - for 100 runs - marked only the second time ever that the pair have batted together in a Test, while Broad's own score marked the first half-century by an England number 10 in 26 years.

Earlier, Moeen Ali had delivered 20 off 134 balls before being caught out by Shaun Marsh, with Jonny Bairstow (22), Dawid Malan (14) and Tom Curran (4) also making cameos.

James Anderson (0*) ended the day at the crease with Cook with England's lead over Australia at 164.