Strauss Ends Barren Run As England Take Control

Strauss Ends Barren Run As England Take Control

Andrew Strauss's 20th Test century helped put England in charge on day two at Lord's

©REUTERS / Action Images

West Indies 243 (Chanderpaul 87no, Broad 7-73) v
England 259-3 (Strauss 121no, Trott 58)
First Test, Lord's, day two
Scorecard | Day One

Andrew Strauss scored his first Test century since November 2010 to lead England to a dominant position on day two of the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's.

Strauss made an unbeaten 121 as England closed on 259 for three having bowled the West Indies out for 243, the tourists unable to add any further runs to their overnight score.

Stuart Broad finished with figures of seven for 72 by removing Shannon Gabriel for nought with the first ball of the day and England then pressed home their advantage with the bat.

Strauss was well supported by Jonathan Trott, who made 58 and then Kevin Pietersen, who made a brisk 32 before falling to Marlon Samuels late in the day.

Ian Bell was unbeaten on five when play ended slightly early due to bad light.

Gabriel was unable to make any impression with the bat as he edged Broad to Graeme Swann at second slip as England made a great start to the day, leaving Shivnarine Chanderpaul stranded on 87 not out at the other end.

Strauss and Cook then put on 47 for the first wicket with Cook (26) looking more fluent than Strauss before he played on to Kemar Roach.

Strauss and Trott then settled into a period of quiet accumulation and Trott was lucky to survive when an edge through to Denesh Ramdin was not picked up by the fielders.

He moved to 58 in 133 balls, hitting six forus before he edged Darren sammy to Ramdin.

Strauss had by now grown in confidence and was cutting and driving strongly at Lord's - his most profitable Test venue - and he reached a fifth century at the ground when he cut firmly to the fence once more.

On 95, he was given a reprieve when he was dropped at slip as he edged Fidel Edwards, although the bowler had overstepped.

This was Strauss's day and although Pietersen played fluently in making 32 in 51 balls with five fours, he would have been disappointed to have fallen to Marlon Samuels.

Trying to cut, he got a significant edge which was very well taken by Ramdin, to give the West Indies something to cheer.

At stumps, Strauss had faced 248 balls and hit 20 fours en route to his 20th Test century.

© Cricket World 2012