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Cricket

Strauss ton helps England build big lead over Kiwis

24/03/2008

Andrew Strauss has scored a significant century to help England into a commanding position after day three of the final Test against New Zealand.

Strauss finished the day unbeaten on 173 while Ian Bell also scored 110 as England moved on to 416-5 at stumps – 501 runs ahead of the hosts.

The Napier pitch remains conducive to high scoring, despite both teams' meagre first innings totals, and Strauss and Bell were able to exploit it to the full.

Strauss has been under considerable pressure to score big runs since his return to the side at the start of the series and with an average of 24.25 before the third Test his unbeaten century proved to be a timely knock.

England began the third day in a watchful manner with Kevin Pietersen (34) claiming most of the strike. The Hampshire man appeared to be getting into his stride when he was dismissed thanks to an athletic catch by Ross Taylor at slip off the bowling of Daniel Vettori.

That brought Bell and Strauss together and the pair looked solid, going into the lunch break on 167-3.

After the break England began to press home their advantage and scored runs at will as the New Zealand attack began to show signs of tiring.

Bell passed the fifty-mark and Strauss celebrated his hundred as the pair put on 135 runs in the afternoon session.

Soon after tea Bell claimed his century but was undone by Vettori as he attempted to hit him down the ground. Paul Collingwood then added a brisk 22 before being caught and bowled by the spinner.

Wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose ended the day partnering Strauss and is unbeaten on 28.

With two day's play left in the Test England could allow Strauss to go for a double-hundred before declaring and still have enough time to bowl the Kiwis out.