Alastair Cook has revealed he feared the axe from England's selectors prior to his record-breaking double-hundred in Melbourne.
Cook ended day three of the fourth Ashes Test unbeaten on 244, the highest score by a visiting player at the MCG, having failed to pass 50 in any of his previous 10 innings.
Read: Cook gives England control at MCG
Asked if he was worried about losing his place, the opener was quoted by the Guardian as saying: "You don't know, do you? I would have been entitled to be dropped just because I literally hadn't scored a run since Edgbaston [when he made 243 in a Test against Pakistan].
"I always feel as though I have the backing of the selectors. But you've still got to deliver the goods and I hadn't done that on this tour. It was very frustrating."
Read: The Ashes Round-up: Cook a class apart as England claims huge lead
Leading by 164 on 491-9, England is well placed to record victory having lost the first three Tests and the Ashes urn.
Cook admitted to mixed feelings, adding: "I'm quite proud, going to the well again and delivering a performance. It's just a shame it's four weeks too late.
"I'll have to live with that for a long time."
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