Sport - Cricket

Andrew Strauss guides England to victory scoreboard

— Photo: AP

MEMORABLE KNOCK: Andrew Strauss is ecstatic after reaching his century.

MANCHESTER: Andrew Strauss hit his 12th Test century as he guided England to an upset victory over New Zealand which appeared to have the second Test in its grasp when it gained a first innings lead of 179. It was his second Test hundred in three matches and, his knock lasted more than four hours and 186 balls.

Strauss was out immediately after completing his century with England 59 short of the victory target and Kevin Pietersen was run out — quite unnecessarily – with 46 needed. Ian Bell should have been caught and bowled by Iain O’Brien on nine. Bell and Paul Collingwood, both completely out of touch, stuttered to 294 and victory by six wickets off the last ball before tea.

The morning belonged to Michael Vaughan even though he was out 20 minutes before lunch feathering a rising ball from Chris Martin to the wicketkeeper. Vaughan must have thought that he would lead his team to victory for the game had swung away from New Zealand, a dispirited team.

When the innings began it was the favourite to go into the third and final Test at Trent Bridge in ten days 1-0 to the good. Whatever went wrong? You may remember that its captain Daniel Vettori called a huddle as soon as England was all out 202 — 179 behind – after its first innings.

His message was, so those with microphones nearby claim, “Take your time. We need 250 to kill any hope they have of victory.” My guess is that when Monty Panesar bowled the Kiwis out for 114 harsh words were spoken in the Kiwi dressing room for, replayed video shows, they went out to field with shoulders drooping.

As Vaughan and Andrew Strauss began their attempt to move the score from 76 for one to 294 the lack of New Zealand firepower was apparent. Vettori bowled from the Warwick Road end where he and Panesar had the wind behind them as they collected a dozen wickets but Vaughan, calmly, and Strauss, with steel, chipped away at the score without difficulty.

Vaughan played so deftly that it was possible to admire his technique without worrying about the runs. Even at the height of his powers — in Australia during 2002-03 when he made three centuries — it is difficult to recall him batting with greater serenity.

Strauss is still struggling to find the touch with which he began his Test career but he reached his second 50 in the match off 105 balls as the two took a leaf out of Australia and snatched short singles almost at will. When Vaughan left, without protest but very slowly, fingers were crossed for Pietersen, the super bat whose confidence is fraying around the edges but he survived to lunch at 171 for two, with 123 still needed and a result at tea time on the cards.

After lunch Vettori bowled from the Stretford end. The exhibitionist in Pietersen could not be contained forever and at 184 he straight drove Vettori for six into the building where a spectator had been delaying the game by strolling around.

A cover drive for four by Strauss off Martin brought the runs required below 100; and Strauss within smelling distance of his own hundred.

Two more fours in an over from Vettori sent England beyond 200 but when Strauss got to 100 there was no doubting his pleasure. It has been a tough journey back for this smiling opener but after 166 runs in this Test he can carry on smiling for some time to come.

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