Live Commentary: The Ashes - Fourth Test, day four - as it happened

Good evening everyone. I think we all lost count of the amount of twists the game took yesterday. Brad Haddin fired again, Alastair Cook started to find some form, England collapsed (again) and Australia ended day three in control. The host need 201 more runs today to win the fourth Test match. England need 10 wickets.

It looked like England had finally found a way to beat their rivals in this series but their batting problems resurfaced as they collapsed from 173-5 to 179 all out in their second innings. Nathan Lyon stole the show with 5-50 on a pitch that offered very little help to the spinner.

It's the nightmare that never seems to end for England fans. For Australia, it just keeps getting better. The match is not over, though. Australia will resume on 30-0, but there will surely be some nervous moments for the batting side today. England must be positive as they go in search of 10 wickets to win their first match of the series.

I've got a glimmer of hope for all you England supporters out there. Since drop-in pitches were introduced at the MCG in 1996, the record fourth-innings chase is 187. Australia are certainly favourites but England cannot give up early in the day.

The fact is that it still looks like a very good pitch to bat on. Lyon's figures suggest that it's a minefield out there but in truth, the spinner barely turned a ball yesterday. It's a day when England will be desperate to find some reverse swing.

The key man today is surely David Warner. He's been in fantastic form throughout the series and if the opener bats for a couple of hours, the match could be almost over. Warner begins the day on 12*. England must expect him to attack from ball one.

It's going to be a difficult day for Alastair Cook. The England captain must be positive with his field settings and bowling changes. Of course, the tourists need to stem the flow of runs but England need to take early wickets to stand any chance.

If Warner departs early and England manage to keep both Shane Watson and Michael Clarke quiet, it could be a very nervy day for the hosts. The first session, as always, will be crucial today.

Australia's head coach Darren Lehmann tells BBC Test Match Special: "Today we have to bat well. We should get there but cricket is a funny game. I don't think either side has batted that well but we have spoken about a few things and expect to do better."

The investigation into this series for England is going to be a big one but for now, they've got a match to attempt to win. They're certainly underdogs. It needs to be one of those days when both Stuart Broad and James Anderson are at their best.

The players are heading out to the middle now. Warner is joined by Rogers, who will be desperate to lead his team to victory as he looks to secure his spot for the foreseeable future. Rogers 18* Warner 12*

The new ball is just eight overs old but expect the touring bowlers to deliver a lot of cross-seam balls today as they go in search of reverse swing. Australia start the day needing 201 more runs to win. Anderson will bowl the first over of the day. Rogers on strike. Play!

Anderson begins the day from around the wicket. Rogers will probably be happy to play a supporting role to his opening partner, especially if Warner finds his explosive form in the first session. Anderson probably needs to be slightly fuller but he's still able to complete a maiden over.

Broad chooses a different tactic to Anderson by starting from over the wicket. Warner makes contract with a drive but Stokes does well to keep the batsman on strike. Broad goes full again later in the over and a sliced drive from Warner brings the first four runs through point. Australia need 197 more.

Anderson is too straight and Rogers takes the opportunity to pick up a single behind square on the leg-side. Warner flicks the ball off his hip to earn a run through the same area. Not much sign of any movement for the seamers yet. Rogers 19 Warner 17*

Warner sits deep in his crease to punch a couple of runs past Broad early in a new over. Carberry is slightly deep at backward point and his fumble allows the batsman to sneak another run. Drop! England cannot afford to make these mistakes. Broad catches the outside edge and it looks like Bairstow's catch. The wicketkeeper stands still and Cook fails to hold on diving to his right at first slip. Big chance missed for the tourists. Shot! Rogers piles on the misery by guiding a short ball over the slips for four runs. 11 from the over. Rogers 27 Warner 20*

England really needed that early wicket. Bairstow looked like he knew it was his error. Anderson comes back over the wicket. Warner earns just one run for a firm drive when Root stops the shot at short cover. Rogers happy to defend for the rest of the over. Australia need 183 more runs.

Cook decides it's time for an early change as Stokes replaces Broad. Warner begins the over with a single through square-leg. Rogers takes the partnership past 50 by clipping three runs to deep mid-wicket. Drop! You won't see an easier chance at first slip. Cook drops the second catch of the morning to give Warner a life. No excuses for the England skipper. England miss another opportunity. Warner will be desperate to make them pay.

Interesting move from Cook as he throws the ball to Root for an early bowl. Maybe the England skipper wants to save Panesar for the right-handed batsmen. Root changes his pace nicely to keep it tight, with Warner finding just one single through mid-wicket. No turn but a tidy start from the spinner. Rogers 30 Warner 24*

Carberry fields a Warner cut to restrict the opener to one. Stokes is bowling with good pace early in his spell but he'll surely still be thinking about that dropped catch from his skipper a couple of overs ago. Rogers latest attempt to cut the ball over the slips ends unsuccessfully.

It's another good over from Root to keeps Rogers in defensive mode. England need wickets very soon. Maiden.

Shot! Rogers takes full advantage of some width to cut four past backward point early in a new over. The Middlesex veteran reaches the rope again just moments later with a perfect drive past a diving Broad for four more. A nudge past the bowler rotates the strike.

Breakthrough for England! Warner can't resist chasing the short ball but his attempted loft over the slips ends with Bairstow taking a catch off the top edge. The umpires check the no-ball. Who knows why? Stokes nowhere near close to an illegal delivery. Crucial wicket for the tourists at the end of the 18th over.

Shane Watson walks to the non-striker's end to join Rogers at the start of a new over. Root's spell is probably about to finish as Cook looks to pile the pressure on the new batsman. Rogers defends for most of the over before pushing two runs through the covers.

Stokes targets the front pad of Watson, who had more than his fair share of lbw dismissals in the English summer. A thick inside edge saves him of another early exit and brings a single to square-leg. Stokes knocks the bails off with his leg, conceding a no-ball, and Rogers picks up to fine-leg. Another thick inside hands Watson his second run on the leg-side. Four off the over.

Bresnan is introduced to the attack as Root's replacement. England want Watson playing those loose drives early in his innings. No mistakes yet from the all-rounder. Bresnan begins his spell with a maiden over.

Stokes if too full to Rogers, who whips the ball through mid-wicket for three runs. Cook brings in Root at short-leg to put another threat in Watson's mind. Australia's number three beats the new fielder with a solid push for one. Close! Stokes gets the better of Rogers but a thick inside edge evades both the stumps and Bairstow to hand the opener four runs. 50! Rogers reaches his half-century from 73 balls by drilling a couple through the covers. Fifties in both innings for the experienced opener. He'll be desperate to record a century. Australia need 151 more runs.

Watson frustrates the England players by playing across his front pad for a single on the leg-side. Shot! Rogers looks a batsman in fine form when he opens the face to play the latest of cuts through third-man for four runs. Time for a drinks break. Rogers 55 Watson 4*

Cook is urging his players on during the drinks break. England need to produce a big display in the next hour before the lunch break. If Australia continue at this rate, it'll all be over by tea.

Cook brings back Anderson for a new spell. Watson once again flicks the ball off his pad to collect a run on the leg-side. Shot! Anderson comes around the wicket to bowl at Rogers, who responds by steering four runs past backward point. Superb shot from the opener.

Close! Watson is not far from being in trouble when he swings wildly outside off-stump early in Bresnan's over. The seamer responds with a good bouncer, which Watson gets a glove on down the leg-side to earn four. Bairstow dived for the catch but he wasn't anywhere near getting close to the ball. Watson adds another run just behind point. Rogers lunges forward to pick up three more through cover at the end of the over. Rogers 62* Watson 10

It's a tidy start to the over from Anderson but he struggles to threaten Rogers with a length that is just too short on this pitch. Shot! Rogers takes on the shortest ball in the over to pull four runs through square-leg. Australia looking very comfortable at the moment. The hosts need 129 more runs to win.

Shot! Watson reaches the rope with a straight drive back past the bowler for four. The MCG crowd is coming alive now as Watson earns four more with a powerful shot past Carberry at point. A single makes it nine from Bresnan's over. Rogers 66 Watson 19*

Superb work from Stokes at short mid-wicket to stop a firm shot from Watson. Anderson bowls a much fuller length throughout the over. Watson drives through extra cover for a couple of runs. Cook will surely turn to Panesar soon. We've not seen the spinner yet today.

Cook decides to turn to Root again, rather than throw the ball to Panesar. Rogers skips down the pitch early in the over but he picks out the fielder at mid-wicket. A slightly shorter ball allows Rogers to find a single at point and bring up the 50 partnership from 64 balls. Watson should fully punish a poor delivery from Root, however, he must settle for a single when Cook gets a hand on the ball at mid-wicket. Panesar does the chasing to fine-leg to restrict Rogers to three late in the over. Rogers 70* Watson 22

Cook finally turns to Panesar. England need the spinner to deliver something special. He immediately settles on a good line but Rogers forces the issue by dropping to one knee to sweep a single to deep square-leg. Watson steals the strike at the end of the over with a push into the off-side for one. Australia need 111 more runs to win.

Changes at both ends as Broad returns to replace Root. Watson finds the middle of the bat with a drive but Bresnan keeps the batsman on strike with some good fielding at mid-off. A nudge off the front pad brings a single to square-leg. Still no sign of reverse swing for the tourists. 15 minutes left in the session.

Watson's natural instinct is usually to attack the spinner. He blocks the first three balls before skipping down the pitch to clip a run into the leg-side. Rogers rocks back nicely to cut three past point. Watson plays a similar shot for one, with Pietersen doing well at point. Rogers 74 Watson 26*

Shot! Vintage Watson as he punishes a wider one from Broad with a powerful cut through point for four. The bowler is far from happy when Pietersen makes a mistake at mid-off to allow Watson to pick up two more down the ground. Australia need 99 more runs to win.

Rogers pushes a couple through the covers before displaying more good timing with a cut past point for three more. Watson takes advantage of a spinner struggling to find the right length by skipping down the pitch to loft three more over mid-wicket. Rogers pierces the field again to steer two more into the off-side. Good cricket from the hosts. 10 from the over. Rogers 81* Watson 35

LUNCH: Stokes returns to the attack to bowl the final over of the session. The all-rounder delivers a good yorker but Watson does well to keep the ball away from his stumps. A shorter delivery is pulled behind square for a single. Rogers has a moment of concern when the ball, which gets trapped in his pads, almost rolls onto the stumps. Don't worry, it would have been a dead ball. Just one run scored in the over. It's time for lunch. Rogers 81* Watson 36*

What a great morning for the hosts in Melbourne. Australia have scored over 100 runs in the first session and need just 88 more to win the fourth Test match. Can England produce any kind of fightback after the lunch break?

It's been another tough morning for the tourists. Just one wicket falling and a couple of dropped catches has made the situation even worse. Join me in around 30 minutes as Australia go in search of a 4-0 lead.

Welcome back everyone. It was a superb first session of day four for Australia, who will return after lunch requiring 88 more runs to win the fourth Test match. England need a miracle to avoid defeat from this position. Most people will be backing this match to be over before tea.

Cook dropped two chances early in the day, with Bairstow taking the blame for not diving to take the first catch. Australia have been cruising since then and have managed to score at a very healthy rate. Rogers, in particular, has been in top form with the bat.

24 hours ago it looked like England were on course to finally claiming a positive result in this series. They're now just 88 runs from falling 4-0 behind to their fiercest rivals. It's the nightmare that just keeps going on for Cook and his side.

Rogers (81*) and Watson (36*) are heading out to the middle for the second session. Cook must ask his players for one final effort in Melbourne. Australia need just 88 more runs to pile further misery on the tourists.

Broad has the ball in his hand. Watson on strike. Play!

Watson starts the session by drilling the ball through the off-side for three runs. Close! Broad catches the outside edge but the ball is too awkward for the diving Bairstow to take the catch and Rogers picks up a single. There's a hint of reverse swing late in the over but Watson handles the threat well. Two off the final ball makes it six from the over. Australia need 82 more runs.

Stokes takes the ball from the other end. Rogers brings up 150 for the hosts with a flick through square-leg for one. Good cricket from Watson to react quickly and earn a single with a push to mid-off. Stokes fires in a short ball but Rogers works a single behind square on the leg-side. Rogers 84* Watson 42

Shot! Broad keeps it tight early in the over but a fraction of width allows the opener to steer four through third-man. He's been superb in that area today. A nudge off the hip earns Rogers another run on the leg-side. Australia are cruising. 74 runs needed.

Rogers deserves some runs for a firm drive but Root fields well at over to keep him on strike. A maiden over is ruined when the opener pulls a short ball behind square for a single. Rogers 90* Watson 42

England look very flat out there. I don't think they'll thank anyone who tells them there's still one more match remaining in this series. Rogers pushes Broad through the covers for three runs to edge closer to a fantastic century. Watson opens the face enough to guide the ball past the only slip and to the rope at third-man. Anderson makes a mistake at mid-wicket to gift Watson two more. This partnership is now worth 103.

Bresnan comes on to replace Stokes. Rogers miscues a couple of drives when the seamer goes full outside off-stump. A straighter delivery allows the opener to nudge two runs into the leg-side and a push through mid-on brings three more. 59 runs needed. Rogers 98* Watson 48

100 FOR ROGERS! The opener, on his home ground, reaches his second Test century from 135 balls with a superb drive through the covers for four runs. It's been a brilliant innings. What a moment for Rogers, who becomes the sixth Australian to reach three figures in the series. Just the boundary from Anderson's returning over.

50! Watson is the next man to raise his bat when he record his half-century with a superb cut past point for four. Shot! Australia's number three wants to finish this in a hurry. A fuller ball from Bresnan is lofted down the ground for four more. Watson then pulls to deep mid-wicket for a single. Rogers is usually the slow-scoring batsman in this lineup but he's playing fluently today as he steers four more through point. A single makes it 14 from the over. 41 runs needed. Rogers 107* Watson 57

Rogers guides a couple through third-man at the start of a new over from Anderson. Carberry is alert at point but he can't prevent the batting duo from sneaking another run. The Barmy Army are still singing. They'll be doing so on their way out of the ground soon.

Stokes is back on for a new spell. Rogers takes a risk when he chips the ball just short of Pietersen at mid-off. Shot! Cook has resisted plugging the gap at third-man and Rogers takes advantage again to cut four more to the rope. A clip off the pads earns the centurion two more to fine-leg. 271,865 people have attended this match over the past four days. That's a superb effort. Australia need 32 runs.

Panesar, who is yet to take a wicket in the match, returns to the attack. Watson begins the over by nudging a single into the leg-side. Rogers is looking to be positive against the spin but he miscues a couple of attacking shots.

Panesar gets his first wicket of the match when a quicker one catches the edge, with Bairstow taking a smart catch. Rogers would have wanted to be there at the end but he walks off to a standing ovation. It's well deserved, too. Fantastic knock from the opener.

Clarke comes to the crease and survives his first ball. Just 31 more runs needed for Australia to start the celebrations again.

Watson picks up a single behind square at the start of a new over. Stokes does well to prevent Clarke from getting off the mark. Australia's skipper won't mind letting Watson finish this match off.

Watson pushes Panesar to long-on and Clarke then collects his first run with a cut past backward point. Shot! Watson follows his skipper by playing the late cut and he earns four for his powerful effort. A big heave across the line brings four more through the vacant mid-wicket area. Panesar serves up a full-toss, which allows Watson to reach the rope for the third time in the over down the ground. Time for a drinks break.

It's going to be another embarrassing defeat for England. Did anyone predict that this Australia side would be 4-0 up heading to Sydney? 16 more runs needed. Watson 72 Clarke 1*

Shot! Clarke reaches the rope with a fine cut shot and it's an important boundary for the Australian skipper. Cook passed 8,000 runs earlier in the match and now it's Clarke who joins that exclusive list of players. There's not many better players in world cricket than him. Watson 72* Clarke 5

Watson advances down the pitch to push Panesar to long-on for one. Clarke's skip ends with a miscued shot to the fielder at mid-wicket. Panesar manages to delay the inevitable for a little bit longer. 11 more runs needed for the hosts.

Close! Watson gets away with an ugly slog as Anderson fails to make the ground up at extra cover to catch the ball when it eventually drops from the sky. Australia's number three uses his power to loft four runs over the returning Bresnan's head. Five runs required. Bresnan delivers a slower bouncer to leave Watson pulling wildly. The next pull shot does make contact with the ball and Watson picks up a single to deep mid-wicket. Seven off the over. Just four more runs needed. Watson 80* Clarke 5

AUSTRALIA WIN BY EIGHT WICKETS! It's all over in Melbourne. A couple of singles leave Watson needing to find just two to win the match and he responds by heaving four runs to the square-leg boundary. What a match. Australia were on the back foot yesterday but they've fought back to crush their rivals once again. Watson 85* Clarke 6*

Australia now lead the series 4-0. The whitewash is on. I didn't think it could get worse for England heading into this match but somehow they've managed to produce another disappointing display. Where do they go from here?

Rogers was superb today and he receives plenty of pats on the back for his century. England's bowler didn't stand much chance at the start of the day after the tourists once again failed miserably with the bat on day three.

You'd be a brave person to back against an Australian whitewash. The results make for great reading if you're a fan of the men wearing baggy green caps. First Test - Australia won by 381 runs. Second Test - Australia won by 218 runs. Third Test - Australia won by 150 runs. Fourth Test - Australia won by eight wickets. It's been a quite unbelievable Ashes series.

It's been incredible but the series isn't over yet. Join me on January 3 at 11pm (UK time) to see if this Australian team can complete a 5-0 series whitewash in Sydney. Thanks for joining me today. Goodbye.