they are playing against australia at the mcg and that is a turnaround after his poor form at the mcgg and that is a turnaround after his poor form in the first three tests. i will continue to doubt myself. but obviously the longer this goes, the harder it becomes. that is why i can be quite proud. we are going well and delivering a performance like that was pleasing. it isjust delivering a performance like that was pleasing. it is just a shame delivering a performance like that was pleasing. it isjust a shame it is four weeks too late. it is nice to do this. he played pretty well, didn't he? he certainly was more aggressive in this match than in the previous three matches. his plan was to take this on a little bit. it was a perfect wicket for england to do that. very impressive, , a perfect wicket for england to do that. very impressive,, you have to work it a different way in test cricket. swansea have appointed a former sheffield wednesday boss. cavalli was sacked by the championship side on christmas eve with wednesday down in 19th place in the table. he has never managed in the t

mercury rising at the mcg.stay in the shade, conserve energy, under no circumstances try and bowl at steve smith. the australian captain not out in tests here for three years. was this a mirage? tom curran‘s first test wicket a rare and valuable one. this might look like a replay but it's not, it's mitchell marsh falling to chris woakes in exactly the same way. the old reliable stuart broad and jimmy anderson did the rest, australia all out for 327 only 83 more than they started the day with. the temperature is over 30 degrees and england's bowlers will be pleased they are back in the shade of the pavilion. they have their side back into this, now what can the batsmen do? they made 35 before mark stoneman ran into the goat. short for "greatest of all time", a nickname extended to nathan lyon. england could cheer the revival of a reassuring presence. alastair cook, with more than 11,000 test runs to his name, knows the value of luck. so rarely does steve smith let these escape. cook was on 66. questions have bee

the last england test team to come to the mcg were 3—0 down and ended up to the mcg were 3—0 down andale in the group is still really high, there is no bickering. -- losing the series 5—0. i was not here on the previous ashes tour, but by all accounts, there were differences in the camp back then and it does not feel like that here, everyone is working hard to try to win the test match. if there is hope maybe it is in the damage heel belonging to mitchell starc, the top wicket taker. he will miss the test, being replaced some have replaced byjackson bird. some have claimed england's australian bowling back—ups are not up to the standard of the front. mitchell starc, here isa of the front. mitchell starc, here is a verbal bouncer. it is quite humorous. they are having a crack at oui’ humorous. they are having a crack at our depth, i think they have bigger things to worry about than the depth of australian fast bowler‘s. hopefully jack. .. of australian fast bowler‘s. hopefullyjack... he still of australian fast bowler‘s. hopefully jack... he still bowls pretty enough. maybe university

mcg were 3—0 down and ended so how are this side any different?ckering. is still really high, and, there's no, you know, separation within the group. it's good that we've all stuck together. you know, i wasn't here on that previous ashes tour but, by all accounts, there was differences within the camp back then. was differences within and, yeah, it definitely doesn't feel like that here. everyone's working hard to try and win this test match. if there's hope, maybe it's in a damaged heel belonging to mitchell starc, the top wicket taker in the series. he'll miss the test, to be replaced byjackson bird. some in the england camp have claimed australia's bowling back—ups aren't up to the standard of the front line. in response, starc can't bowl actual bouncers, but here's a verbal one. bowl actual bouncers, it's quite humorous, actually. bowl actual bouncers, erm, they haven't taken 20 wickets yet in the series so... erm, and we have, and then they're having a crack at our depth. so, i think they've got bigger things to worry about than the depth of

meanwhile australia hope wicketkeeper tim paine will be able to play at the mcg despite delaying hisamily reasons. the aussies haven't called up a replacement but they are likely to need cover for mitchell starc. the leading wicket taker in the ashes so far has a heel injury and could well miss the next test. the home side are 3—0 up in the series with two matches to play and batsman peter handscomb who played with england captainjoe root at yorkshire last summer has some sympathy for the tourists. obviously i feel forjoe obviously i feel for joe but obviously i feel forjoe but on the flip side we are not going to win this ashes 5—0 and we said that from the start. we are going on the right track but it is tough forjoe, his second or third series as captain of his country and i dare say he would be feeling the pressure at the moment. he's a smart cricketer. he has a good head on his shoulders and he will bounce back with his team as well. rangers have appointed graeme murty as manager until the end of the season. he's been in temporary charge since the sacking of pedro caixinha and h

this is the notorious bay 13 of the mcg. home to the most raucous supporters in cricket.e reminding which ever poor england fielder who has the misfortune of being posted near to them exactly what the score is in this series, and how bad it could yet get for them. words can't hurt england, but runs do. steve smith provides them, and the aussie captain will play, despite injuring his hand in training. ashes series can numb as well as inflict pain. it's been a good summer so far. obviously, won back the urn, which was the objective at the start of the series, and we've now got an opportunity to keep winning. that's been my message to the boys. don't worry about 5—0 at this stage, you've got to win this one first. even on christmas morning, even with the series decided, they come to watch practise in melbourne. more than 90,000 will be here on boxing day to pick over the ashes leftovers. patrick gearey, bbc news, in melbourne. let's get the weather, with tomasz shaferneker. it is forecast not a flake of snow. it will be turning tonight and later on tonight across the souther

the highest score by a non—australian batsmen in a test match at the mcg, the melbourne cricket groundong back from australia where i categorically failed to inspire the england team in the perth test match to great heights. the body language of the england team and, dare i say it come off alastair cook in that match, was awful. it's so wonderful to see him do this today. and my instinct is he will retire pretty soon. instinct is he will retire pretty soon. maybe even at the end of this series. he will go down as one of the great english test batsmen, no question. why did it take until now? they've lost the ashes, they are trying to stop the whitewash. they needed this three weeks ago. trying to stop the whitewash. they needed this three weeks agom trying to stop the whitewash. they needed this three weeks ago. if you have the answer to this you wouldn't be coaching the england cricket team. why is it called a double century? 100 runs is a century, he got 244, so he got a double century plus. if you'd got to 300, it would bea plus. if you'd got to 300, it would be a triple century, hav

well, england denied by very english conditions at the mcg.e the only side with a realistic chance of winning this test, and the weather on the final day looks far clearer. but the continuing presence of the australian captain steve smith at the crease is a dark cloud still looming over them. patrick geary, bbc news, melbourne. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel, we are back with the late news at nine o'clock — now on bbc one it's time for the news where you are. goodbye. two wins, one marriage, one baby, and the europe's number one golfer. it's not until now, hello and welcome to sportsday, with me, james pearce. the headlines this evening: frustration for england's cricketers as they attempt to win the fourth ashes test — rain forces them to spend much of the day in the pavilion. welcome back — andy murray plays his first competitive match since wimbledon. and we'll look ahead to tomorrow's old firm derby, with celtic 11 points clear of rangers. hello, good evening to you. hello, good evening to you. the weather fore

he is a leg-spinner, and the mcg, actually home to the greatest of all time, shane warne.o talk to shane warne already on this tour. we've had a couple of chats in the mornings, and we will hopefully chat a bit more as the tour goes on, he is the best ever stop and what sort of thing is he saying to you? nothing about bowling just yet. hopefully i'll get him in the next couple of games. england have to decide between mason crane or tom curran, the surrey fast bowler, because craig over to looks like he's going to miss that game on boxing day. we know it is the fee for world cup this year but there is another tournament that they are hosting, and it's not football. millions around the world will be watching what is happening in russia next summer. fifa hope that millions will tune into the game version of the world cup, called the ee world cup, one of the tournaments which the governing body have put the media rights up for sale. it is expected to attract a massive local audience, particularly of young fans. here on the bbc we have been showing is balls for a while now. the

very little, it's been criticised, this mcg pitch, it's a dropping wicket because they used the surfaceengland also criticised it earlier in the match. they will point out they dealt with it better than the australian bowlers. anderson and australia can't exploit pace as they have in some of the other wickets around australia. england might feel greater know—how might be the crucial advantage for them. what about the mental state of england players? they must be bruised after what has happened so far in this series. they've had good positions before, they've thrown them away. does this feel different? it is feel a little bit different to be honest. england have kept a very united group through this ashes series and i think it's different to previous tours. they will feel they have noticed a change in the wind in this test match, though the ashes have gone. we've now had two or three days of continued england dominance. it's different from any other test match in the series. they'll feel the alastair cook innings was a rallying cry. they applauded him back into the dressing room last nig

the mcg is going to be fantastic. 90 to 100,000 people.. it was the one i really wanted to score runs in the first few games so i could get there. it's disappointing we have nothing to play for from a team point of view in terms of the ashes. we are 3—0 down already, but i think the pride of the teams and the players will want to make this 3—2, and show we can play and perform out here. that's the key thing. the wbo world middleweight champion billyjoe saunders is still unbeaten after a superb unanimous points victory over canada's david lemieux in quebec over the weekend. back home now, the british fighter is making big plans for next year. here's our boxing correspondent, mike costello. billyjoe saunders is now revelling in the attention from the win at the weekend against canada's david lemieux. so comprehensive of the win that many are now questioning the quality of david lemieux, but beforehand, the bookmakers were suggesting the odds between them we re suggesting the odds between them were pretty even. but the win and the way it came

england denied by very english conditions at the mcg.still looming over them. —— of the australian captain. patrick geary, bbc news, melbourne. there's more throughout the day on the bbc news channel. now on bbc one its time for the news where you are. goodbye. this is bbc news. the headlines at one: heavy snow and freezing temperatures

it's certainly been a very slow pace at the mcg.for england, they've made too many of them. patrick geary, bbc news, in melbourne. there's more throughout the afternoon on the bbc news channel. we're back with the late news at six o'clock. now on bbc one it's time for the news where you are. hello. you're watching the bbc news channel. russia is ready to act as a mediator between north korea and the united states if both parties are willing for it to play such a role, the kremlin has said. north korea has made big strides in its nuclear and missile programme and is expected to continue on the same path in the new year. our correspondent paul adams has been to seoul to take a look at how south korea are responding to the continuing threat. changing the guard in seoul. ancient rituals in the heart of this modern city. in the past, the threats came from imperial, rapacious japan. but today, the danger is just over the hills, and this year, it seemed to grow and grow. month after month, north korea tested ever more fearsome missiles. th

overton expected to miss the game, they're likely to decide between two potential debutants for the mcgut for england since 1927. and he'd be playing at the home of the greatest leg spinner in history, shane warne. we have had a couple of chats in the morning, we will catch up more as the tour goes on. he is the best ever and i want to pick his brains. what did he say? nothing yet about bowling just yet. we will wait until he can see me up close and personal. hopefully i will get a game in the next couple of games and he can then let me know. australia hope tim payne can play at the mcg despite delaying his rival in melbourne due to family reasons. the australians have not called up any replacement but they are yet to need cover for mitchell starc, the leading wicket taker in the ashes as a heel injury and could miss the next test. the home side are 3—0 up in the series with two matches to play. and batsmen peter handscomb, who played withjoe root at yorkshire last summer, has some sympathy. i feel forjoe. on yorkshire last summer, has some sympathy. ifeelforjoe. on the flip side, we wa

the scoring was slow, the pitch lifeless and the atmosphere drained out of the mcg. 5— neal asher ‘s win for australia but england did not get that morale boosting win either. we now go to sydney to see if england can pick up their first victory of the series and we will all hope it isa the series and we will all hope it is a bit more exciting than this. getting tired of bashing? no, i am enjoying it. a shame we had to call it off, i could've done another hour out there. i am enjoying at the moment, and hopefullyl out there. i am enjoying at the moment, and hopefully i can end the series really well in sydney as well. very proud of the way we went about it and to come off three difficult games and put in a performance like that is very pleasing. that is what we are about asa pleasing. that is what we are about as a side. i think that is a fair reflection of what we are capable of asa team. reflection of what we are capable of as a team. and to perform how we did ona as a team. and to perform how we did on a very unresponsive wicket. celtic look to extend their lead a

england to do, but for cook it was the highest total any batsman has made against australia at the mcgin a good performance as a team. banged on about it. brisbane, it was level. three days. fourth we struggled. it was the scene with the other two test matches. we have got another opportunity tomorrow to come back with a good lead. try to put some pressure on australia. he looks exhausted. rafael nadal‘s ongoing knee injury has forced him to pull out of the brisbane international, the warm up event for the student open. he pulled out of next version event this weekend. but he still hopes to be fit in time for the australian open. the man who defeated rafael nadal in this year's australian open, roger federer, is in perth. he has been enjoying the sun, sea, sand. roger federer stealing typically grounded. expectations are higher but i try to remind myself, it is not normal and realistic to look for the same things that i have done in 2017. i am going to try to keep it cool. try my best. we will see what happens. the preparations have been good. we will see what happens at perth.- skiing

the scoring was very slow, the pitch lifeless, and the atmosphere drained out of the mcg.evious three england trips here have seen, but england didn't get that morale boosting win either. we now go to sydney to see if england can get that first series win, and we will all hope it is more exciting than this one. serena williams has returned to tennis for the first time since giving birth to herfirst tennis for the first time since giving birth to her first child. tennis for the first time since giving birth to herfirst child. she showed glimpses of her best form up against the french open champion jelena ostapenko. i was a little worried out there. i looked at my camp andi worried out there. i looked at my camp and i was like, is she ok? but it's really good. i'm excited and it's really good. i'm excited and it's good to be back on the court. first matches back are always super incredibly hard, especially after having a baby, but it was great, and i was glad i could do it here. great to see her back so soon. that's all the spot for now. not every day you can take photos of

the answer, geographically at least, is melbourne, the mcg, this cathedral of australian sport aheadto be widespread changes in management. the managerfaced widespread changes in management. the manager faced if widespread changes in management. the managerfaced if you bounces from the media but said there is no need for revolution just yet. we have a young captain doing a great job and i‘ve been very impressed with him privately and publicly about how he is approaching his captaincy. we have new players who have come into the fold and stepped up have come into the fold and stepped up to the plate. it has just been disappointing that in the key moments of the key matches, we haven‘t been able to turn the screw to get on top of the australians. let‘s see if we can do that over the next two test matches. harrison was also asked, inevitably, about ben stokes, the england all—rounder missing from this tour after an incident outside a bristol bar which he is waiting to see if you will be charged. stokes returned home from new zealand where he was playing cricket for a to spend time with h

the last england test team to come to the mcg were 3—0 down and ended up losing the series 5—0.p is still really high. there's no bickering, there's no separation within the group. it's good that we've all stuck together. i wasn't here on that previous ashes tour, but by all accounts, there was differences within the camp. but then it doesn't feel like that here. everyone is working hard to try and win this test match. if there is hope, maybe it's in a damaged heel, belonging to mitchell starc, the top wicket taker in the series. he'll miss the test, to be replaced byjackson bird. some in the england camp have claimed australia's bowling back—ups aren't up to the standard of the front line. in response, mitchell starc cannot bowl actual bouncers, but here is a verbal one. it's quite humorous, actually. they haven't taken 20 wickets yet in the series. we have and they are having a crack at our depth and i think they've got more things to worry about than the depth of australian fast bowlers. hopefully, jacko takes five. as i said on and off, he still bowls quick enough, faster th

well, the answer geographically, at least, is here, melbourne, the mcg, this great cathedral of australiane has also been debate around the reasons behind this ashes defeat. england have now lost eight test matches in a row on these shores. some are blaming county cricket, saying it doesn't produce enough fast bowlers and spinners, whereas others say there needs to be widespread change in the management of english cricket. well, the man at the top of the game is ecb chief executive, tom harrison, and today, he faced a few bounces of his own from the media but said there is no need for revolution just yet. we've got a young captain who is doing a greatjob and i've been very impressed with him privately and publicly about how he is approaching his captaincy. we have got new players who have come in to the fold and stepped up to the plate. and it is just been disappointing that in the key moments of the key matches, we haven't been able to turn the screw to get on top of the australians. let's see if we can do that over the next two test matches. harrison was also asked, perhaps inevitably, a

this is the notorious bay 13 of the mcg. home to the most raucous supporters in cricket.lder who has the misfortune of being posted near to them exactly what the score is in this series, and how bad it could yet get for them. words can't hurt england, but runs do. steve smith provides them, and the aussie captain will play, despite injuring his hand in training. ashes series can numb as well as inflict pain. it's been a good summer so far. obviously, won back the urn, which was the objective at the start of the series, and we've now got an opportunity to keep winning. that's been my message to the boys. don't worry about 5—0 at this stage, you've got to win this one first. even on christmas morning, even with the series decided, they come to watch practise in melbourne. more than 90,000 will be here on boxing day to pick over the ashes leftovers. patrick gearey, bbc news, in melbourne. disappointed that your dreams of a white christmas didn't come true? well, a group of five british women have got more than their fair share of snow. they're on a historical journey of a li

it's certainly been a very slow pace at the mcg.es. and so far in this series, unfortunately for england, they've made too many of them. patrick geary, bbc news, in melbourne. might bite, trained by nicky henderson, held on in an exciting finish to win the king george vi chase at kempton park. nico de boinville's mount led from the front throughout. the 6—4 favourite had to work hard to stay ahead of 50—1 shot double shuffle, who finished second. tea for two ridden by lizzie kelly was third. that's the sport from me for now, the bbc sport website has much more on all those boxing day stories. sophie. there's more throughout the evening on the bbc news channel. we are back with the late news at 10.30 tonight — now on bbc one it's time for the news where you are. goodbye. hello. this is bbc news. a woman from hull has been jailed for three years in egypt for taking tramadol painkillers into the country. they're legal in the uk. laura plummer — who's 33 — was convicted of drug smuggling. her family say they will appeal against the sent

we thought we'd come to the mcg to see steve smith get a huge score. the surprise when he played one onto his stu m ps after surprise when he played one onto his stumps after half an hour, giving tom curran his first wicket. mitchell marsh went next in the same way to chris woakes and then stuart broad andjimmy way to chris woakes and then stuart broad and jimmy anderson, england's most successful bowling partnership of all time, took charge. broad bowling with great skill, answering those asking to have him dropped. australia lost their last seven wickets for 87 runs. mark stoneman was caught and bowled. james vince went to lbw which he should have reviewed. the evening session was all about alastair cook, getting his first 50 of the series, he was dropped by steve smith on 66 and scored his century in the last over of the day. australia frustrated in the sweltering heat. it may be too little and too late for the ashes but england have had their best day of the series so far. they are still fighting. we created quite a lot of pressure yesterday and we

we thought we'd come to the mcg to see steve smith get a huge score.rprise when he played one onto his stumps after half an hour, giving tom curran his first test wicket. mitchell marsh went next in the same way to chris woakes and then stuart broad and jimmy anderson, england's most successful bowling partnership of all time, took charge. broad particularly bowling with great skill for four wickets, answering those asking to have him dropped. australia lost their last seven wickets for 83 runs. mark stoneman was caught and bowled by nathan lyon. james vince went to lbw which he should have reviewed. the evening session was all about alastair cook, getting his first 50 of the series, he was dropped by steve smith on 66 and scored his century in the last over of the day. he finished alongside the captain joe root. australia, frustrated in the sweltering heat. it may be too little and too late for the ashes but england have had their best day of the series so far. they are still fighting. we created quite a lot of pressure yesterday and we were rewarded

the mcg rode his hundred on the very next ball. next wicket. shaun marsh given not out lbw. the review when with the umpire's call. a key moment and from there, marsh and steve smith stabilise things. smith remained unbeaten and england must worry unbeatable. i don't think we started very well, we didn't adjust to the conditions of the pitch quickly enough. when you bowl at someone quickly enough. when you bowl at someone like david warner, one of the best players in the world on a pitch like that, you don't bolt to your bus, he will hurt you. the second session, i thought we dragged it back well. we stuck to our plan much better and i thought we deserved those two wickets. there are three boxing day matches in the by are three boxing day matches in the rugby union pro 14 league. cardiff blues have the upper hand against the dragons at rodney parade. the blues with 15 points ahead. aled summerhill had put them ahead. that is all the sports now, to, julian. police have released cctv footage images — of three suspects, following a th

england to do, but for cook it was the highest total any batsman has made against australia at the mcgyears. but i can be proud. going to that, delivering such a performance, it was great but it isa such a performance, it was great but it is a shame it is three quarters weeks late. i am going to have to live with that. but it was nice. the cheltenham gold cup winner sizing john finished well down the field in the big race of the day, the christmas chase at leopardstown. it was won by the 8/1 shot road to respect. ridden by sean flanaghan and trained by noel meade he came home comfortably ahead of 66/1 shot balkos day flow and 0utlander. that completed a one—two—three for thejigginstown stud. sizing john finished seventh. still 0—0 still 0-0 at still 0—0 at selhurst park. more in an hour. in the last half hour, the democrat doug jones has been certified as the state senator of alabama. jones defeated republican candidate roy moore in the us senate election in alabama — who has filed a lawsuit to challenge the result, alleging voterfraud. mr moore, whose campaign was plagued by allegatio

england denied by very english conditions at the mcg.hance of winning this test and the weather on the final day looks clearer. the continuing presence of steve smith at the crease is a dark cloud looming over them. andy murray is making his long—awaited comeback from a hip injury ina long—awaited comeback from a hip injury in a match in abu dhabi this afternoon. it was jockville due injury in a match in abu dhabi this afternoon. it wasjockville due to play but on the advice of his medical team, he's withdrawn —— djokovic. djokovic hasn't played since pulling out of the quarter—final with an elbow injury at wimbledon. murray is taking on his opponent which is getting under way and murray's lost the first four games in fact. sam allardyce's admitted his club are in need of a new striker. the comments come as the club are linked with a number of names. sam alla rdyce the club are linked with a number of names. sam allardyce refuse toad be drawn on names before tomorrow's match with bournemouth but he says the side aren't as sharp as they n

patrick gearey has the latest from the mcg. england denied by english conditions in melbourne.e down, and showers turned to storms after three o'clock and we got no more play. but england will be consoled by the faact they are the only side with a realistic chance of winning the test and will avoid an ashes whitewash. the innings lasted one ball this morning before anderson was out. alastair cook 244 not out, batting all the way through the england innings undefeated, the first to do it since 1997 for england. and a record score for anyone who has done that in a test match. england took two australian second innings wickets. bancroft bowled and khawaja edged behind. then england bowling to david warner and steve smith, the two best australian batsmen and the england tactic was to dry up the runs, which was effective, but they did not get them out and they will be there on the final day of play as the biggest obstacles to an england victory. both sides in this match have been warned about throwing the ball deliberately into the pitch to scuff it and generate reverse swing. but s

for england, finally, belatedly, serenity at the mcg but those who have followed them here are alwayscorner. followed perhaps by unwelcome ducks. so imagine the ripples caused byjoe root‘s misplaced hook. 61, out, missed out. dawid malan‘s error was maybe even stranger, given lbw, he chose not to review. the hotspot showed he had hit it, a lifeline ignored. jonny bairstow came and went, then moeen ali, under pressure for his place, tried to be carefree and ended up careless. in contrast to the muddled minds, the continuing clarity of alastair cook. beyond 150, then fortunately just beyond steve smith, the second time he dropped him. cook took over the management of the innings, driving england into a lead, pushing on to a remarkable double century. he found a loyal lieutenant in stuart broad. at first brave, then bold, he made a 50 that infuriated the aussies. by the close, england's total was nearly 500. cook had scored more runs than any visiting test batsman here and he had been at the crease in the melbourne heat for ten and a half hours. all surrounded by doubts about his future.

jimmy anderson said it was not the right surface for a contest for the big crowds at the mcg. runs. that is not a thrilling spectacle. whichever side wins, they will have to fight hard. that victory will be earned in sweat. english footballer, harry kane, has set a new record of 39 goals in the premier league in a calendar year, doing it in style, with a hat trick at wembley. kane headed in a free kick from christian erikson to give tottenham hotspur a 1—0 lead over southampton and break alan shearer‘s 22—year—old record. a second goal followed just before half time as he swept in across from son heung—min. and midway through the second half, son was again provider, as kane completed his hat trick with a delicate chip over the keeper. that takes his haulfor club and country to 56 goals, making him the leading goalscorer in europe for 2017. earlier, the bbc spoke to bradley allen. he has been a coach at spurs for 13 years and coached harry kane as a youngster. he also witnessed harry kane make history at wembley as a co—commentator for bbc radio london. my colleague geeta guru—

mercury rising at the mcg.under no circumstances tried to bowl at steve smith. the australian captain knocked out in tests here for three yea rs. knocked out in tests here for three years. was this a mirage? tom curran‘s first test wicket a rare and valuable one. this might look like a replay but it's not, it's mitchell marsh falling to chris woa kes in mitchell marsh falling to chris woakes in exactly the same way. the old reliable stuart broad and jimmy anderson did the rest, australia all out for 327 only 83 more than they started the day with. the temperature is over 30 degrees and england's bowlers will be pleased they are back in the shade of the pavilion. they have their side back into this, now what can the batsmen do? they made 35 before mark stoneman ran into the goat. short for greatest of all time, a nickname extended to nathan lion. england could cheer the revival of a reassuring presence. alastair cook, with more than 11,000 test runs to his name, knows the value of luck. so rarely does steve smit

give tom curran ‘s first test wicket on debut but a replay revealed no ball, but came warner and the mcgaught behind and after t stuart broad got his first wicket for more than 400 deliveries. usman khawaja. he nearly got another with his next. shaun marsh given not out lbw. the review went to the umpire. a key moment. from there marsh and who else but steve smith stabilised things. smith remained unbeaten and england may worry he is unbeatable. there are three boxing day matches in rugby union's pro 14 league — all derbies, and cardiff blues have the upper hand in the first of them. they beat the dragons 22—17. they still had to withstand a second—half fightback. this try proved to be the winner. 18 games since the dragons lost a welsh derby. lei nster leinster leader monster, 97—5 in front and are set to go top of their role. —— —— 57—5. might bite held on in an exciting finish to win the king george the sixth chase at kempton park. nico de boinville's mount led the way throughout the race. leading going into the final fence, the 6—4 favourite had to work hard on the run—in. 50—1 shot

back came warner, and the mcg roared his hundred.veries, usman khawaja. he nearly got another with his next, shaun marsh given not out lbw. the review went with the umpire's call, a key moment. from their marsh and steve smith, who else, stabilised things. smith, who else, stabilised things. smith unbeaten. and england worry he might perhaps be unbeatable. people wa nt might perhaps be unbeatable. people want to see exciting cricket. we did oui’ want to see exciting cricket. we did our best. we didn't bowl great in the first session. we didn't add to that excitement, unless you are a david warner fan. but the second session, we did all we could on that pitch. i know it wasn't exciting to watch, and it wasn't exciting to play, to be honest. when it is that attritional. but there is not a lot we can do about it from here. that's the picture we have for the next five days. we just have to put up with it. football's festive fixtures continue with eight games today. leaders manchester city play newcastle tomorrow but in this afternoon's e

this wasn't the day we were expecting, we thought we would see steve smith at the mcg, the australianh not been dismissed at this ground in a te st been dismissed at this ground in a test matches in three years. imagine everyone's surprise test matches in three years. imagine eve ryone's surprise when test matches in three years. imagine everyone's surprise when smith played one onto his stumps after 30 minutes given tom crone his first te st minutes given tom crone his first test wicket and what a wicked. mitchell marsh mind next in the same way to chris woakes. stuart broad andjimmy anderson, england. most successful bowling partnership of all time took charge. broad bowled with great skill for his four wickets. in answer to those who called for him to be dropped. australia were eventually all that for 327, losing their last seven wickets for 83 runs. in reply, england lost mark stoneman to a superb caught and bowled to nathan lyon. the greatest of all time, he is known as gop tea. the evening session was all about alastair cook. he scored his first 50 of the series at was dropped b

the pitch was lifeless, and the atmosphere drained out of the mcg. the previous three england trips over here have seen, but england did morale boosting win either. we now go to sydney to see if england can get theirfirst go to sydney to see if england can get their first victory of the series. and we will all hope that it's a bit more exciting than this one. are you getting tired of batting at any point, stephen? no, i'm enjoying it. it's a shame we had to call it off in the last hour. i could have had another hour out there. it was good fun. i'm enjoying it at the moment. i feel i'm hitting the ball really well. hopefully i can end the series really well in sydney as well. very proud with the way we went about it. to come off three very difficult games and put ina three very difficult games and put in a performance like that, it's very pleasing. that's what we are about as a side. i think that's a fair reflection of what we are capable of as a team, and on a very unresponsive footitt, to perform how we did on the first and second stay with the ball

but a replay revealed no ball, back came warner and the mcg roared his 100 on the next ball.wicket for more than 400 deliveries. he nearly got another with his next one. marsh given not out lbw. the review went with the umpire's call. a key moment, from there marsh and smith stabilised things. smith remained unbeaten and england must worry perhaps unbeatable. three local derbies in the pro—14 today. cardiff blues won in newport against the dragons. leinster went top of pool b after beating munster. the most dramatic finish to a match was in llanelli where the scarlets came from behind to beat the ospreys. josh macleod went over with the last play of the match. but that's the moment where evans was sent off. there were penalties from davies. but it finished 12—9 the final score. that's all the sport. lewis hamilton has apologised after sharing a video of him chastising his nephew for wearing a dress. the formula one driver tweeted that his words had been inappropriate and that it was not acceptable for him to marginalise or stereotype anyone. during the video, he said he was s

england denied by very english conditions at the mcg. looks far clearer. but the continuing presence of the australian captain steve smith at the crease is a dark cloud still looming over them. patrick geary, bbc news, melbourne. andy murray has made his long awaited comeback from a hip injury, playing a one set exhibition match in abu dhabi against spain's roberto bautista agut. the briton was a last minute replacement for novak djokovic who has had to delay his return from an elbow problem. murray lost the first four games, never looked at his physical best and ended up losing the set 6—2. this was murray's first competitive match since wimbledon. djokovic meanwhile could be a doubt for the australian open. liverpool managerjurgen klopp says it was "not nice" paying £75 million for the southampton defender virgil van dyck, but there was little choice. the dutchman will become the world's most expensive defender when the transfer window opens next month. klopp emphasised how much prices have spiralled over the past 6 months. it doesn't