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Relieved Strauss says timely century "meant a lot"

24/03/2008

Andrew Strauss was delighted and relieved to have scored his first century for England in over 18 months against New Zealand in the third Test.

Strauss had been left out of the squad that travelled to Sri Lanka before Christmas and was under pressure to keep his place in the side.

However with a telling contribution of 173 not out the Middlesex man may have guaranteed his position in England's plans for the summer.

After being rested following a lacklustre series against India Strauss admitted that his ton against New Zealand in Napier had "meant a lot".

Strauss had gone 31 Test innings without a century and he said there was a mixture of relief and joy when he passed the milestone.

He said: "It's been a pretty long time since I last got a Test hundred so there was a lot of emotion in it, a fair amount of relief but more than anything a lot of joy to be contributing."

Strauss explained that he had not been in the right frame of mind during the end of last summer and was too worried about his form.

The Middlesex man felt he was able to turn things around because he kept believing in his ability to compete at the highest level.

He said: "I think that was one of my problems prior to Sri Lanka because I was thinking a little too much about what would happen if this or that happens.

"I know I'm a good enough player to score Test hundreds and it's just a question of getting the opportunities and taking them when they arise."

Strauss' 173 is his highest Test score and he could add to that if England chose to carry on batting on the fourth day in Napier.