Strauss celebrates key century

CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss billed his unbeaten 161 as the best Test hundred of his career after England’s day of two halves against Australia at Lord’s.

Strauss’ 18th Test hundred shaped England’s progress in the second Ashes contest – sharing in the biggest opening stand against Australia for 18 years with Alastair Cook – but the loss of six wickets for 137 runs in the second half of the day somewhat undermined a stunning start.

They will resume this morning on 364 for six, intent on posting a larger total than the 435 they managed in the dramatic drawn opener in Cardiff last week.