Alastair Cook has admitted that he was "quite proud" of himself to make it through the third day of the fourth Ashes Test unscathed and reach a double century.

The former England skipper entered the day on an unbeaten 104 and took his tally to 244 not out by the close on Thursday in Melbourne, setting a record total for a visiting player at the MCG.

Cook's stand represents his fifth Test double century and also included a profitable 100-run, ninth-wicket stand with teammate Stuart Broad.

"Last night it was relief. Today I was quite proud that I came back, got in again and dug deep to get a big one," Cook told BT Sport. "Getting a hundred didn't count for much unless I backed it up today. At Perth I said I was embarrassed, I know it is late but it is nice to contribute to a good day.

"In all three games we have put Australia under pressure in two or three sessions and we haven't been able to back it up. Here even halfway through the afternoon we were in danger of only getting a 60-run lead and I thought we needed more than that.

"Broady played really well. It was good to have bit of a partnership to get us up to a good lead."

England will enter the fourth day on 491-9, with Australia trailing by 164 runs.