they'll feel the alastair cook innings was a rallying cry. they applauded him back into the dressing room last night. the fitness, concentration, they want to deliver on his tireless effort and get the first ashes victory. coverage as always on test match special overnight. arsenal have won 3—2 away at crystal palace in this evening's premier league match. arsenal dominated for large periods of the match, and always looked the likely winners, but once again their defence creaked when under pressure. jim lumsden watched the match. as manchester city speed towards the title there appear to two courses left for the others, getting into europe or not getting relegated. arsenal in contention for the former. palace prised from the bottom of the table by roy hodgson. the best part of their staff the gunners patiently passed the ball around. hodgson‘s men often come from behind to win. andros townsend struck back. arsenal not used to losing having done so only once in the last six. alexis sanchez regained the lead for his side. the third even eas

alastair cook set to win his 150th test cap for england. he has struggled for form so far in this series, but he says his desire is as strong as ever. you live on the edge in professional cricket, and the results normally justify the means. you'll get places guaranteed if you are scoring runs, if not, there are other talented people who want your place. that hasn't changed for 12 years and it will never change, people want your place, and it's up to me to try and score some runs to try and get those people off my back. it will be a remarkable individual achievement for alastair cook. for now, remarkable individual achievement foralastair cook. for now, his focus is very much on helping his tea m focus is very much on helping his team turned this ashes series around. they have had problems on the pitch, problems of the pitch as well of course. questions about the behaviour of england's players. only at the weekend, england lions player ben target was suspended after pouring a drink overjimmy anderson's head in a bar in perth on friday ——

cricket news, and an unbeaten 2aa by alastair cook is helping when to ta ke alastair cook is helping when to take control of the fourth ashes test. they finished the third day on a91-9, a test. they finished the third day on a91—9, a lead of 16a. cup's double century was the highest score by visiting batsmen at the melbourne ground. he now six in the all—time list of leading test run scorers. england, finally serenity at the mcg. those who have followed them are aware of a wave around the corner, followed perhaps by unwelcome docs. imagine the ripples caused byjoe unwelcome docs. imagine the ripples caused by joe root‘s unwelcome docs. imagine the ripples caused byjoe root‘s misplaced hope. mallon's error was even stranger. he chose not to review. it was a lifeline ignored. jonny bairstow. .. moeen ali try to be carefree and ended up careless. in contrast the minds, the continuing clarity of alastair cook. beyond 150 and then fortu nately alastair cook. beyond 150 and then fortunately just beyond alastair cook. beyond 150 and then fortunatelyjust beyond steve smith, the secon

in contrast to the muddled minds, the clarity of alastair cook. beyond 150, 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 onto a remarkable double century. he found a loyal lieutenant in stuart broad, first brave and bold, making a 50 that infuriated the aussies. by close, their total was nearly 500, cook had scored more than any visiting test batsmen and had been at the crease in the melbourne heat for 10.5 hours. surrounded by doubts about his future. do you ever doubt yourself going into the match? 100%. for 12 years. i continue to doubt myself. the longer it goes, the harder it becomes. i suppose that is why i am quite proud of last night going in against and delivering a performance like that was pleasing. it is a shame it is four weeks too late. afterwards we heard england's players applaud cook in the dressing room, a tribute to his resilience, fitness and concentration. on day four, over to the bowlers to turn this tireless effort into

first 50 ofa presence, alastair cook's first 50 of a straining series. he knows the value of luck. so rarely does steve smith that these escape. cook on 66. questions have been asked about his appetite for batting but look at the reaction when he went to his hundred in the last over of the day. his a nswer to in the last over of the day. his answer to those who doubted him. the celebrations were huge when he got the hundred, people jumping celebrations were huge when he got the hundred, peoplejumping up. it's testa m e nt to the hundred, peoplejumping up. it's testament to the blokey is. a very calm character, not someone who gets particularly fazed or down. he went through so much stuff of his captaincy, i'm not sure stick about scoring runs is going to bother him too much. this might be seen as too little too late. afterwards to the ashes. at least at last england have had their day in the sun. patrick geary, bbc news, melbourne. southampton have accepted a £75m bid from liverpool for defender virgil van dijk. that sum would be a world record for a de

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 been asked about cook's appetite for batting but look at the reaction when he went to his hundred in the last over of the day. his answer to those who doubted him. the celebrations in the dressing room when he got that hundred were huge, people jumping up, room when he got that hundred were huge, peoplejumping up, and that is testa m e nt to huge, peoplejumping up, and that is testament to the bloke is. he's not someone testament to the bloke is. he's not someone who gets particularly fazed or down, he went through so much stuff with his captaincy, i'm not sure a bit of stick about scoring i’u ns sure a bit of stick about scoring runs will bother him too much. this may be seen as too little too late, but at least, at last, england have had their day in the sun. bath have been fined £60,000 for releasing taulupe faletau to play for wales in their autumn international against south africa. the match fell outs

beyond 150 and then fortu nately alastair cook. beyond 150 and then fortunately just beyond alastair cook. beyond 150 and then fortunatelyjust beyond steve smith, the second time he dropped in. cook took over the management of the innings, driving england into a lead, pushing onto a remarkable double century. stuart broad was at first brave, then bowl. he made a 50 that infuriated the aussies. by the close, the total was nearly 500. cook had scored more runs than any visiting test batsman, and he had been at the crease in the melbourne heat for 10.5 hours, all surrounded by doubts about his future. afterwards, we have the players applaud cooked back into the dressing room. 0n applaud cooked back into the dressing room. on day four, it will be over to the bowlers to turn his tireless effort into a first victory of this series. i have doubted myself for 12 years and i will probably continue. the longer it goes, the harder it becomes. i suppose that's why i can be quite proud that delivering a performance like that was pleasing. it is

a record breaking day for alastair cook in melbourne —— with a double century and his highest ever score against australia in the fourth ashes test. and, desperately seeking a man called mariusz, who lost his £600 wage packet in a london pub. we were astounded by how far reaching this all went. it was just amazing. and in the shadow of red october — how russians view the 1917 revolution. that's in half an hour here on bbc news. hello, good afternoon, welcome to bbc news. ice and below zero temperatures have been causing more disruption. stansted airport had to provide beds for hundreds of passengers who were left stranded in the terminal overnight, after flights were cancelled due to the bad weather. anisa kadri has spent the morning there and sent this report. hanging around for a flight longer than you expected, it is not much fun, especially when the queues are just getting longer, you find your flight is not just delayed, it is cancelled. 12 hours after sarah's flight to stockholm was meant to take off, she was still here and will fly tomorrow. i only found out literally three hou

the story of the day is alastair cook. records tumbling everywhere. story of the day is alastair cook. records tumbling eve rywhere.m story of the day is alastair cook. records tumbling everywhere. it is not too little, too late. they have proven that they can come back but the reason they were in australia was to win the ashes and it didn't happen. now they are kicking it. too late. we will hold onto that! it is all about alastair cook because it has been a brilliant day for him in melbourne. he finished on 244 not out, closing a mammoth 250. let's talk to our sports reporter patrick gea rey talk to our sports reporter patrick gearey in melbourne for us. lucky man to be able to watch this. the day firmly belongs to alastair cook. and what the turnaround in form for the former england captain. certainly. going into this match some questioned whether alastair cook still had the appetite to score ru ns cook still had the appetite to score runs for england. he had scored so many after also did he still want it? 24 hours at th

alastair cook set to win his 150th test cap for england. he has scored almost 12,000 test runs for his country. he has struggled for form so far in this series but he says his desire is as strong as ever. you live on the edge in professional cricket and the edge in professional cricket and the results normallyjustified the end. if you're scoring your place is guaranteed. but other talented people want your place and that has not changed for 12 years. people wa nt not changed for 12 years. people want your place and it is down to me to score some runs to get those people off my back. england black is beyond changed from the side that lost in adelaide but they may tinker with the batting order. jonny ba i rstow with the batting order. jonny bairstow may be promoted higher up the batting order. so some issues for them to consider before this vital test match gets underway on thursday. well former england captain david gowerjoined us earlier, he was heavily fined along with his teamatejohn morris for his antics in a bi—plane on the 1991 ashes

on the front of the times we have alastair cook rising from the ashes. what has he done? at last? he's scored the highest, made the highest score over 200 runs, 200441 think. not the highest score over 200 runs, 20044i think. not out. the highest score over 200 runs, 200441 think. not out. still the highest score over 200 runs, 20044i think. not out. still to go in this morning as well. the highest score by a non—australian batsmen in a test match at the mcg, the melbourne cricket ground. i'm not long 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.

and in the daily express, it blames captainjoe root and former skipper, alastair cook, with a simple phrase of blown away. now to the nfl, and carolina panthers owner, jerry richardson, has put the franchise up for sale, as he faces allegations of workplace misconduct. richardson has been the team's only owner since it formed in 1993 and says he will sell up at the end of the season and the current coach has been paying tribute. he helped put the carolinas on the map. for me personally, having him help me grow as a coach, it has been tremendous. he has helped me and gave me every opportunity. he was the first owner of my nine interviews to give me a chance. that is all i can speak of. i know the allegations are serious and there will be an investigation, and it should be respected. rapper, puff daddy, has expressed an interest in buying the panthers and becoming the nfl's first african—american majority owner. sean combs also said he would make hiring free agent colin kaepernick his first task. however, nfl writer, cindy boren, from the washington post, says he would need a lot mor

why isn't alastair cook on the front cover? that score remained correct. cook's third day of batting lasted one ball. he watched it, jimmy anderson hit it, cameron bancroft caught it. cook carried his bat unbeaten — a lesson in focus and patience. england needed to bowl in a similarfashion. waiting worked initially. they removed cameron bancroft, then produced enough movement to tempt usman khawaja. england were still nearly 100 ahead and making the best of a wearing ball. they, like australia, were warned about scuffing the ball on the pitch, but some on australian television made more serious accusations — to england's obvious irritation. as soon as i saw the headlines, i raced into the umpires, and that was their words, actually — "nothing to worry about, absolutely fine." england's next obstacle was australia's rock. steve smith reached the boundary only occasionally. england shut off the taps but couldn't dry everything up. showers turned to storms, play finished at three. well, england denied by very english conditions at the mcg. they are the

alastair cook hits an unbeaten century as the tourists fight back

beyond 150 then fortu nately alastair cook. beyond 150 then fortunately just beyond alastair cook. beyond 150 then fortunatelyjust beyond steve smith, the second time he dropped in. cook took over the management of the innings, drive and england into a lead. pushing onto a remarkable double century. stuart broad was at first brave and bold. he made a 50 and infuriated the aussies. cook had scored more runs than any visiting test batsman here. he had been at the crease for 10.5 hours. afterwards, we hope the england players applaud clock back into the dressing room, a tribute to his resilience, fitness and concentration. it will be over to the bowlers to turn his tireless effort into a first victory of this series. i have doubted myself for 12 yea rs series. i have doubted myself for 12 years and will continue. i suppose i can be quite proud and i was last night that i delivered a performance like that. it is a shame that it is three and a half or four weeks too late. it's nice to score a few. he played pretty well, didn't he? he was certainly more aggressive in this match than he h

england opted to bat will stop in alastair cook's case, not for long, out forjust stop in alastair cook's case, not for long, out for just seven, stop in alastair cook's case, not for long, out forjust seven, as australia's bowlers set about making life decidedly uncomfortable. they broke mark stoneman's helmet and soon broke mark stoneman's helmet and soon it seems england's hopes. stoneman gone controversially for 56. the video umpire deciding at just brushed his gloves, to england's frustration. 131—4, it seemed another tale what if. but in the nick of time a century and emerged from the ranks. the unheralded dawid malan. yes, he rode his luck, dropped on 92, but together with jonny bairstow his luck, dropped on 92, but together withjonny bairstow he made australia pay. what a time to score your first test hundred. if the day belonged to england, the moment was all of his. magnificent effort. it was so all of his. magnificent effort. it was so emotional. i didn't really know what to do and when i got the hundred i was so emotional i almost started crying, to be honest, when it happen

root 72 not out and alastair cook are looking solid with joe root 72 not out and and alastair cook are looking solid withjoe root 72 not out and england 149- withjoe root 72 not out and england 149— two. harry kane has broken the record for the most premier league goals in a calendar year. he moved past alan shearer‘s mark with yet another hat—trick, in tottenham's 5—2 win over southampton. that's 56 goals for club and country, two more than lionel messi. joe lynskey has more on that and the best of the rest of the action from yesterday. of the action from yesterday. they either england strikers who set their own bath. but 2017 is when harry kane made history. —— bar. their own bath. but 2017 is when harry kane made history. -- bar. he has done it! it has been a very merry christmas. in front of the goal, he is unstoppable. harry kane chases records like through balls. fantastic. i am chases records like through balls. fantastic. iam proud chases records like through balls. fantastic. i am proud of it. compared to the players, lionel messi, alan shearer, that is what it's a

a record—breaking day for alastair cook in melbourne with a double century and his highest ever score against australia in the fourth ashes test. good morning and welcome to bbc news. there are warnings of treacherous driving conditions this morning, as sub—zero temperatures cause disruption for a second day across large parts of the uk. hundreds of people have spent the night at stansted airport after flights were cancelled or delayed. the met office has issued four weather warnings. andy moore reports. the snow had long gone by the time these images were taken at stansted airport, but the disruption it caused has lasted into another day. the airport said up to 300 people were staying in the terminal overnight. it said it was handing out beds and blankets, though some passengers said they saw little sign of them. many people complained of chaotic scenes as they tried to get their luggage back from cancelled flights. this was the scene that greeted passengers returning to luton airport yesterday. no significant snow is forecast today, but the airport is warning there could again be

this is looking at the batting scores for both alastair cook and joe root. between them, they scored 256 runs where steve smith, the australian captain, scored a26 runs alone. and he only batted in four innings, whereas cook and root batted six each. if we look at england's bowling stats as well, lots of questions being asked about the front line bowlers. stuart broad and moeen ali, only eight which is between them. compare that to the australian bowler nathan lyon, who took 15 wickets on his own. big questions are being asked and michael vaughan says the core of england's team just have not turned up england's team just have not turned up in this series. england don't have a high quality spinner. if you look at the rockies in the batting department, they have stood up. it has been disappointing to see the senior core of the team, if you look at alastair cook, he has not found any kind of form. joe root, moeen ali, stuart broad, only one of them has fallen a kind of —— found any kind of form. one front man player who has been missing for the whole series

then they lost alastair cook. another quick dismissal for alastair cook. another quick dismissalfor him. he went alastair cook. another quick dismissal for him. he went forjust 14. dismissal for him. he went forjust 1a. brilliantly caught and bowled by josh hazlewood. a superb piece of athleticism but cook's richard cork can saint —— continues. —— wretched. joe root will be wondering why. they are currentlyjoint keep england going but they have an awful long way to go. they will be pinning their hopes on the weather. the weather is not playing its part at the moment. it is unlikely we will have heavy showers which could help england out. you talk about the batting, joe root and alastair cook in particular. where do we start? where has it gone wrong to england? why have they struggled so much?” think in this match, you go back to day to and you forget what an extraordinarily strong position england were in at one point. it was 360-4. england were in at one point. it was 360—4. from there, they would have liked to have got 500 or 600. that battin

then australia we re and alastair cook. then australia were inspired. an incredible quart bowl from mitchell starc. were inspired. an incredible quart bowl from mitchell sta rc. england rallied with craig overton guiding them to something approaching respectability but their final total of two to seven meant they trailed by 215. australia could have enforced the follow—on, asking him battered again but they decided not to, it controversial decision because australia last four early wickets. the bowlers of england seemingly inspired onto the floodlights, two wickets forjimmy anderson and two for chris woakes, including the prize scalp of the australian captain steve smith. england ending the day on a positive note the australia still very much in the driving seat. england have a sliver of hope and chris woakes was delighted with how his team responded. we fought back well. we pushed australia back tonight which is good to see. we can take positives format. we are behind in the game but at the same time, it's really good the fact we fought back and show

why isn't alastair cook on the front cover. . . that isn't alastair cook on the front cover... that score remained correct. cook's third day of batting lasted one ball. he watched it. jimmy andersen hit it, bancroft caught it. england needed to bowl in a similarfashion. waiting worked initially, they removed bancroft then produced enough movement to tempt the opponent. england were ahead and making the best of a wearing ball. they were warned about scuffing the ball on the pitch but some on australian television made more serious accusations to england's obvious irritation. as $0011 england's obvious irritation. as 50011 as england's obvious irritation. as soon as i saw the headlines, i raced into the umpires and that was their words actually, nothing to worry about, absolutely fine. england's next obstacle was australia's rock. smith reached the boundary occasionally. england shut off the ta ps occasionally. england shut off the taps but couldn't dry everything up. showers turned to storms, play finished at three. england denied by very english conditions at the mcg. they are

there will be a rallying cry from the alastair cook inning, and they should be able to get a first-test victory in his ashes series. sharanjit: all right, one to watch. patrick geary in melbourne, thank you. the iconic miss america beauty pageant is in turmoil over an e-mail scandal that forced its most senior board members to step down. the huffington post has published e-mails which allegedly show pageant officials making vulgar comments on contestants' weight, sex lives, intellect, and even wishing one was dead. executive director sam haskell has resigned, as well as president josh randle and other board members. an online petition with tens of thousands of signatures is gaining traction, calling for everyone on the board to be sacked. , miss america 2013, was one of the women targeted in the e-mails. she is leading the charge for everyone on the board to stand down. i spoke to her earlier. >> if you look at this, the people who have demonstrated categorically that they do not understand how to lead an organization like the miss america organization, being complicit when these things

also — a record breaking day for alastair cook in melbourne. he makes a double century and his highest ever score against australia in the fourth ashes test. and, desperately seeking a man called mariusz, who lost his £600 wage packet in a london pub. success, thanks to a social media search. arejust amazing, are just amazing, how this whole thing went. —— it wasjust are just amazing, how this whole thing went. —— it was just amazing. and current and former presenters look back at hardtalk over the last 20 years. that's in half an hour here on bbc news. ice and below zero temperatures have been causing more disruption in many parts of the uk. hundreds of people had to spend the night in stansted airport after flights were cancelled because of the bad weather. anisa kadri has spent the morning there and sent this report. hanging around fora hanging around for a flight, not much fun, especially when the queue are getting longer, the flights have been cancelled. more than 12 hours after sarah's flight to stockholm was meant to take off fr

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 with wickets today. we were very patient yesterday. when it reversed a bit things could have gone differently for us. today we got lucky with a couple of chop ons and a couple of wickets that australia were probably disappointed with but we are delighted with. it's been a tough couple of weeks but it makes playing and taking wickets very rewarding. that's the sport for now. police in australia are searching for the owner of a one—metre long freshwater crocodile, which was found wandering the footpaths of melbourne on christmas day. authorities are unsure where the reptile came from and are presuming it's a pet. alyse edwards reports

chasing australia's first inning total of 327, thanks to an unbeaten century from alastair cook. patrick geary is there. patrick, they ashes may have already been lost, but it looks like they have a good chance of making sure they can avoid a whitewash. patrick: they do have a decent chance. everyone in australia is keen to point out that the ashes have been decided. this is the back page of one of the newspapers -- "all too late," they are saying. england's effort has come after the series has been decided. it has been a good effort for england. alastair cook, the former captain who had been under some pressure -- he had not even scored 50 before this inning -- scored an excellent 100. he was dropped on 66 by the australian captain, steve smith. they are in a good position now. they are still behind australia's total, but they have 8 first-inning wickets in hand and if they bat well today, they can put australia under real pressure for the first time in this series. sharanjit: why do you think the momentum has changed in this match? patrick: part of it is to do with the fact tha

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 were rewarded with wickets today. we were very patient yesterday. when it reversed a bit things could have gone differently for us. today we got lucky with a couple of chop ons and a couple of wickets that australia are from the disappointed with but we are delighted with. —— probably disappointed with. it's been a tough couple of weeks but it makes playing and taking wickets very rewarding. that's all the sport for now. i'll have more for you in sportsday at 10.30. the company that ran grenfell tower is handing back control of its other properties to the local council, saying it can no longer give tenants the service they expect. the kensington and chelsea tenant management organisation

it's been a memorable, record—breaking day for england's alastair cook in melbourne. he finished the day three of the fourth ashes fest on 244—0, guiding england to a healthy first innings lead. australia have won the ashes of course but what a an impeerious display of batting by cook as he made his fifth double century. he passed the great west indian batsman brian lara in the all—time list of leading run scorers, a partnership of broad and cook helped england. broad himself made 56. the day belonged to cook as england were 491—9, a first innings holyrood of 164. it meant a lot last night and today i was proud i managed to back it up after all the emotion came out yesterday, to get a real big one for the team was very important. do you ever doubt yourself? yes, 10096. i doubt myself for 12 years, probably continue to doubt myself but obviously the longer it goes, the harder it becomes. i suppose that's why i can becomes. i suppose that's why i can be quite proud. i was proud last night. delivering a performance like that was just pleasing, it's just a shame it'

alastair cook, with more than 11,000 test runs to his name, knows the value of luck. so rarely does steve smith like these escape. cook was 166. questions have been asked about his appetite for batting but look at the reaction when he went to his hundred in the last over of the day. his answer to those who doubted him. people were jumping up and i people werejumping up and i think thatis people werejumping up and i think that is testament to the bloke he is. here's a kind character, he is not someone who is phased in or down. he went through so much stuff with his captaincy i don't think a bid of ribbing about run—scoring will bother him too much. this may be seen as too little too late, but at least, at last, england have had their day in the sun. ngland's job is to turn a good position into a match—winning one. hey‘ve had chances before in this series and not taken them. of the pdc world championship. world number two peter wright has been knocked out he faces fellow dutchman raymond in the final eight. world number two peter wright has been knocked out in the

the evening session was all about alastair cook, scoring his first 50 of the series. he was then dropped by steve smith on 66 and ended with his last over of the day, finishing alongside the captainjoe root. it may be too little, too late for the ashes, but england had their best day of the series so far. they are still fighting. we created a lot of pressure yesterday, and we were rewarded with wickets today. we were very patient yesterday and when it reversed a little things could have got slightly different for us, and then today we got lucky with a couple of wickets. australia were probably disappointed with them, but we were delighted with them. it has been a pretty tough couple of weeks. but it makes playing and taking wickets very rewarding. arsene wenger has suggested that jose mourinho it should take a leaf out of his book and accept that some rival clubs will have more money to spend. after they scraped a 2—2 draw yesterday, he said that the £200 million that invested in his squad so far wasn't enough. but arsene wenger said that after two decades in arsen

the evening session was all about alastair cook, scoring his first 50 of the series. he was then dropped by steve smith on 66 and ended with his last over of the day, finishing alongside the captainjoe of the day, finishing alongside the captain joe root. of the day, finishing alongside the captainjoe root. it may be too little, too late for the ashes, but england had their best day of the series so far. they are still fighting. we created a lot of pressure yesterday, and we were rewarded with wickets today. we were very patient yesterday and when it reversed a little things could have got slightly different for us, and then today we got lucky with a couple of wickets. australia were probably disappointed with them, but we we re probably disappointed with them, but we were delighted with them. it has beena we were delighted with them. it has been a pretty tough couple of weeks. but it makes playing and taking wickets very rewarding. tottenham and england striker harry kane says he can get even better, after breaking the record for premier league goals scored in a seas

the evening session was all about alastair cook. he scored his first 50 of the series at was dropped by steve smith on 66 and ended up scoring his century in the last over of the day. finished alongside the captain, joe root. australia frustrated in the sweltering heat. it may be too little 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 that we were rewarded with wickets. we were very patient, yesterday. when it reversed a bit, things could have gone slightly differently for us. today, we got lucky with a couple of chop ons and a couple of wickets. australia were disappointed probably but we were delighted with them. it's been a pretty tough couple of weeks, really. but it makes playing and taking wickets very rewarding. vitaly mutko has stepped down from his role as chief organiser for next summer's world cup in russia. to concentrate on work. it's been a turbulent month for russia's deputy prime minister, he temporarily left his

and that is down the ground — beautiful from alastair cook.

that is because alastair cook is doing so well. he admitted to doubts about his place in the team after a run of poor form but he his place in the team after a run of poorform but he put his place in the team after a run of poor form but he put away any negative thoughts firmly behind him as he made a record—breaking double century. that put england in a strong position on day three of the fourth ashes test, at stumps they we re fourth ashes test, at stumps they were 491—9, with a lead of 164. cook himself was 244—0. before this test, many were asking whether cook had the ability and desire to keep scoring test runs for england. this was his answer. 244—0, impressive even for a man with nearly 12,000 test runs to his name. england needed him. they seemed untroubled until root put cummings into the hands of nathan. malan went lbw. it wasn't reviewed. bairstow caught behind and moeen ali slogged his ca res behind and moeen ali slogged his cares away and ended up being caught off line. batting with the lower order building a l

the evening session was all about alastair cook. he scored his first 50 of the series and was dropped by steve smith on 66 and ended up scoring his century in the last over of the day. finished alongside the captain, joe root. australia frustrated in the sweltering heat. it may be too little 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 that we were rewarded with wickets. that we were rewarded with wickets today. we were very patient, yesterday. when it reversed a little bit, things could have gone slightly differently for us. today, we got lucky with a couple of chop ons and a couple of wickets. australia were disappointed probably, but we were delighted with them. it's been a pretty tough couple of weeks, really. but it makes playing and taking wickets very rewarding. vitaly mutko has stepped down from his role as chief organiser for next summer's world cup in russia to concentrate on government work. it's been a turbulent coup

the evening session was all about alastair cook, scoring his first 50 of the series. he was dropped by steve smith on 66 and ended up scoring his searchingery in the last over —— century in the last over of the day. australia frustrated in the sweltering heat. it may be too little 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 that we were rewarded with wickets today. i think we were very patient yesterday. when it reversed a little bit, things could have gone slightly different for us. and then, today we got lucky with a couple of chop ones and a couple —— chop—ons. yeah, i mean, it's been a pretty tough couple of weeks really. it makes playing and taking wickets very rewarding. harry kane says he can keep getting better, after he broke the record for the most premier league goals in a calendar year. he moved past alan shearer‘s mark with yet another hat—trick, in tottenham's 5—2 win over southampton, taking his tally to 39. and that's 56 goals for

alastair cook was asked for his take.” and be role models. alastair cook was asked for his take. i don't think we are getting painted fairly in the media because on our culture clearly there has been a couple of things, it sounds silly, but the media have brought it up. but the world has changed after what happened in september and it's down to us to adjust that quickly and we cannot afford any mistakes, because the ecb and the sponsors, we want to have kids play cricket.” the ecb and the sponsors, we want to have kids play cricket. i spoke to anotherformer have kids play cricket. i spoke to another former england captain, david gower, earlier this morning, he was heavily fined along with his tea m he was heavily fined along with his team mates for antics with a biplane in the 1991 ashes tour. in my era players lead of a lot of steam on tour, three orfour players lead of a lot of steam on tour, three or four months away on tour, three or four months away on tour, you're not expected to be a monk and everyone expect you to have a drink and there were breaches of discipline way b

cook powering his way to his thirty second test century australia have a three nil even the best of five series and one of the longest running competitions in sports history all right that does it for me we'll have more news at the top of the hour but stay tuned it's d.w. news up next where gary hart alford's.

josh hazlewood's brilliance did for alastair cook and worse was to follow. joe root, the captain, remember, what was he thinking? but as his team—mates fell around him, james vince stood tall, a fluent 50 starting a recovery until the ball of this, or perhaps any summer, mitchell starc, the stump destroyer, just watch this zigzag of the pitch at 90 mph. unplayable. dawid malan and jonny bairstow helped calm the nerves with an unbeaten partnership, until a deluge sparked delight among the barmy army. but their team need something very special. two guys at the crease spent a lot of time there in the first innings. it's slightly differing conditions but we've got to have believe we can get over the line tomorrow. england are still hanging on. more rain is forecast but only that and some determined batting can save england's hopes. andy swiss, bbc news, perth. european champions cup holders saracens look like they'll now need to try to reach the quarterfinals as one of three best pool runners—up after losing 24—21 to group leaders clemont auvergne in franc

cook pairing his way to his thirty second test century straightly do have a three nil lead in the best of five series and one of the longest running competitions in sports history. a quick reminder for you top story this hour a major prisoner swap between ukraine and pro russian rebels is underway in total three hundred eighty prisoners are being exchanged and will soon be returning. now time to get you can always get the news when you're on the go just download from google play or from the apple store and that'll give you access to all the latest news from around the world as well as push notifications when we have breaking news for you you can also use the app to send us photos and videos. that's your world news update for now we'll have more of course at the top of the hour now it's time for d w business with. he has a look at when robots may be taking over some of our jobs it might well be sooner than you think that's up. see it find it here it discovered. video and audio podcast.

cook powering his way to his thirty second test century australia have a three nearly eight in the best of five series and one of the longest running competitions in sports history all right that does it for me we'll have more news at the top of the hour but stay tuned it's d.w. news up next where gary hart alford's. they make a commitment they find solutions. they and stronger. africa the. stories of those people making a difference shaping their nation. and their continent of africa on the stories of the motivational change makers taking their destinies into their own. d.-w. is a new multimedia series for. d w dot com africa on the move. twenty seventeen was the year of the robots giant leaps in technology might make science five fantasies become reality sooner than we thought spot for many workers that future looks pretty bleak as robots might take their jobs. and then our series following the news this week why china is sinking hundreds of billions of dollars into large infrastructure projects in africa. this is a business. the robots are coming that's the headline that we've heard

they would need a record run chase and as alastair cook is then passed the 50 mark, england dare to dream. but then a reality check. both went in quick succession and another soon followed, james vince wafting his wicket away, not what the occasion called for. but under floodlights and pressure, dafydd malan and joe root hang in there. australia kept appealing. india kept surviving, just. it was pure sporting theatre. root reached a gutsy half—century as the pair rekindled england's hopes, but ten minutes from the toes, a final twist. mallan gone. australia are still favourites, but england are still favourites, but england are 178 runs from something special. this has been some fight back from england. barely 2a hours ago, they looked beaten, the ashes all but gone. and yet they still have a chance of a remarkable win. we are delighted to be in this position to have any chance of winning the game, which we didn't think we would have after the first couple of days. it's good for us. 0bviously, after the first couple of days. it's good for us. obviously, there is a huge amount of work le

it didn't begin well for them, they won the toss, chose to bat, alastair cook was out early for seven. is bad form continues. joe root the captain went for 20. mark stoneman batted well, showed a great deal of courage, struck on the helmet and his bat broke at one point. he battled through to 56 before being co ntroversially battled through to 56 before being controversially given out, caught behind by the video umpire who decided it did just click his glove. at that point england were in trouble at 131—11. then a fantastic reply from david mellor and jonny ba i rstow, a reply from david mellor and jonny bairstow, a partnership which blossomed in the afternoon sunshine as australia's bowlers tired. jonny ba i rstow as australia's bowlers tired. jonny bairstow finished the day 75 not out. david milan 110 not out, his first ever test century. his ashes test in front of his watching pa rents. test in front of his watching parents. what a day it was for him. this is what he had to say after. it's been nice. i was under pressure coming to the game. it was nice to score some runs. especia

alastair cook lost his wicket. .. i early. alastair cook lost his wicket... i think he got seven. it was his 150th test. the first english captain to get that far. joe root went for 20. mark stoneman battled ha rd root went for 20. mark stoneman battled hard but hasjust co ntroversially battled hard but hasjust controversially being given out. england, 2—0 down in the series to be they will lose if they do not get something from this test. they are 135-a. something from this test. they are 135—a. cricket authorities say there is no evidence to suggest this test match has been corrupted in relation to allegations of match—fixing in the sun newspaper. four—time tour de france winner chris froome says he hopes his legacy will not be tainted after returning a wrong drug test. and premier league leaders, chelsea, extend their record—breaking run of consecutive top—flight wins to 50. more on the match—fixing allegations in the newspapers. a christmas theme, surprisingly enough, in the pages. think christmas dinner with a twist. i think it is looking quite christmassy outsi

and when alastair cook served up yet more catching practice, england were staring at humiliation. but if they were brittle, australia were brilliant. nathan lyon's dazzling caught and bowled followed by an even better one — mitchell starc showing the reflexes of a juggler, as australia tightened their grip. by the time the final wicket fell, england were still a massive 215 behind. game surely over. but then a twist. australia could have made the visitors bat again, but decided not to. bad choice. under the floodlights, england's bowlers sparkled. two early wickets forjimmy anderson, two for chris woakes, including the big one, captain steve smith. australia 53—4 at the close. it may be faint but england finally have a sliver of hope. obviously we're behind in the game but at the same time it's really good, the fact that we fought back and showed good character to get ourselves back in the game. i thought we bowled really well tonight, as a unit. and we've put some pressure back on australia. a tense end, then, to a dramatic day. verbals exchanged as the players left the pitch

also — a record breaking day for alastair cook in melbourne. he makes a double century and his highest ever score against australia in the fourth ashes test.

it didn't begin especially well, they won the toss and chose to bat, alastair cook was out for just seven, joe root rent for 20. mark stoneman batted very well, his bat broke at one point but he got 256 before he was controversially caught behind by the video umpire and at that point england work in some trouble but then a fantastic reply from dawid malan and jonny bairstow, a partnership that blossomed in the sunshine as australia tired. jonny ba i rstow sunshine as australia tired. jonny bairstow finished the day 75 not out, david milan 110 not out, his first century in front of his watching parents and what a day it was for him. it's been nice, i was under pressure coming into the game so under pressure coming into the game so it was nice to score some runs and especially when the team needed it, i think we were 120—4 so it was nice to do it when the team needed it and make sure i cash in when i got a start. for austria, it looked like another pace bowler‘s paradise, the quirks were fast and hostile after lunch but they were blunted in the afternoon sunshine by david milan and jonn

josh hazlewood's brilliance did for alastair cook and worse was to follow. joe root, the captain, remember, what was he thinking? but as his team—mates fell around him, james vince stood tall, a fluent 50 starting a recovery until the ball of this, or perhaps any summer, mitchell sta rc, the stumped destroyer, just watched this zigzag of the pitch at 90 mph. unplayable. dawid malan and jonny bairstow helped calm the nerves with an unbeaten partnership, until a deluge sparked delight among the barmy army. but their team need something very special. two guys at the crease spent a lot of time there in the first innings. it's slightly differing conditions but we've got to have believe we can get over the line tomorrow. england are still hanging on. more rain is forecast but only that and some determined batting can save england's hopes. andy swiss, bbc news, perth. my my invite must have been lost in the post. tonight, the 2017 sports personality of the year will be crowned in front of a live audience in liverpool. once again it's set to be fiercely contested