You are in > manchester.com  > News > Strauss ton guides England to record-breaking victory

Cricket

Strauss ton guides England to record-breaking victory

26/05/2008

A century from Andrew Strauss guided England to a six-wicket win over New Zealand in the second Test.

Strauss continued his purple patch against the Kiwis with a knock of 106 as England smashed the record for the highest fourth innings run chase at Old Trafford.

Skipper Michael Vaughan made 48 while Kevin Pietersen struck 46 as the threat of spinner Daniel Vettori failed to materialise.

England go 1-0 up in the series, with the final Test starting on June 8th at Trent Bridge.

Starting the day on 79-1, Strauss and Vaughan crucially saw off the threat of Ian O'Brien and Vettori.

Strauss brought up his 50 with a thick edge past the slip cordon for a boundary off O'Brien.

England were on 150-2, needing 144 more runs for victory, when Vaughan (48) was dismissed after edging a delivery from Chris Martin.

That brought Kevin Pietersen to the crease and the Hampshire star looked to play more positively, whacking Vettori for a towering six in the 62nd over.

Strauss brought up his ton off 178 balls with a quick single as England moved to within 66 runs of victory. But his innings came to an end in the next over when he nicked a delivery to Ross Taylor at slip off O'Brien.

Pietersen fell in the next over for 42 after a suicidal run out with Brendon McCullum whipping off the balls with the batsman a foot short off his crease.

Paul Collingwood, who averages just three this season, and Ian Bell saw England home before tea.

Collingwood, on his 32nd birthday, hit a boundary off his legs with the last ball of the session to clinch a memorable victory.