Strauss reaches three figures again
Andrew Strauss has scored five tons in his last 12 innings
Also In The News
|
England captain Andrew Strauss has admitted he is considering playing five bowlers in the must-win final Test against the West Indies in Trinidad. |  |
Friday, 06, Mar 2009 10:35
Andrew Strauss hit his third century of the series as England dominated the opening day of the final Test against the West Indies in Trinidad.
The England captain is unbeaten on 139 as the tourists closed on 258-2 in their bid to square the series.
Paul Collingwood is on 54 not out while Owais Shah made 29 before retiring hurt.
And England will be confident of making another mammoth score after the Windies' defensive tactics and refusal to take the new ball.
They were dealt an early blow though when the in-form Alastair Cook edged a delivery from Daren Powell to wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin for 12.
But they survived the early scare with Strauss and Shah putting on a partnership of 107.
Shah, who has failed to make a big score in the series, took 19 deliveries to get off the mark and survived two lbw appeals.
At the other end, Strauss also rode his luck as he could have been run out twice before notching up his 15th half-century off 118 balls which included five boundaries.
The 32-year-old was involved in another mix-up with Shah which almost led to the latter being run out. The Pakistan-born batsman was then forced off the field with severe cramp in his hand.
That brought Kevin Pietersen to the crease and he was spared a first ball duck after an lbw decision was overturned by third umpire Aleem Dar.
Pietersen reached ten before being bamboozled by spinner Ryan Hinds to leave England on 156-2.
But Strauss held his nerve to bring up the 17th Test ton of his career with a quick single to continue his fine form.
Collingwood formed another crucial partnership with his skipper and brought up his 50 off 108 balls which included four boundaries.
They were helped by the Windies continuing heir negative tactics in the final session with skipper Gayle bowling a total of 17 overs and employing two slips for his pace bowlers.
England will be looking to crank up the tempo tomorrow to reach a total they can declare on, and give themselves enough time to bowl out the home side twice.