Strauss and Bell run riot

24 March 2008 | By Justin Goulding

Andrew Strauss savours a first Test century in 31 attempts © Getty Images

Andrew Strauss hit his first Test century in almost 18 months and Ian Bell followed suit as England charged into a commanding lead over New Zealand in the decisive final Test in Napier.

Strauss, recalled to the side for this tour after being dropped for the pre-Christmas trip to Sri Lanka, justified the selectors’ faith in emphatic fashion with a magnificent unbeaten 173.

He batted throughout the third day to make his first hundred in 31 attempts, his highest score at this level and the highest score by any batsman on this ground.

Alongside Ian Bell’s wonderfully fluent 110, Strauss’ contribution carried England to 416 for five at the close - an insurmountable lead of 501 that eliminates the prospect of their losing this contest, which will decide the series.

They shared a thrilling fourth-wicket stand of 187, while Strauss oversaw the addition of 325 runs at more than three and a half an over during a hugely entertaining day for the sun-baked travelling fans.

The tourists resumed on 91 for two in the morning, leading by 176 after a dramatic turnaround saw New Zealand bowled out for just 168 on Sunday.

Strauss, 42 overnight, was deprived of the strike by Kevin Pietersen during the early exchanges, but he maintained the same watchful approach that served him well on the second evening to go to a 112-ball half-century with a straight-driven four, the seventh of his innings.

Like Strauss, Pietersen exercised caution early on, although he unfurled a clutch of sweetly-timed boundaries - most notably a hooked six at Chris Martin's expense - before falling to Daniel Vettori for 34.

Ian Bell prospers during a thrilling afternoon session at McLean Park © Getty Images

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In attempting to turn a ball into the leg side, Pietersen merely diverted a leading edge to first slip, where Ross Taylor showed exceptional reflexes to take a fine one-handed catch diving to his right.

Bell looked in superb touch from the moment he arrived at the crease, driving Jeetan Patel gloriously through cover off front and back foot either side of a towering six down the ground off Vettori before lunch.

He dominated the scoring after the interval, with Patel and Grant Elliott, twice, dispatched for successive boundaries as an increasingly ragged home attack allowed the run-rate to soar.

Bell’s half-century contained eight fours and two sixes, while a patient Strauss capitalised on the increasingly regular scoring opportunities that came his way.

They brought up the hundred partnership shortly before Strauss went to three figures courtesy of an emphatic cover drive off Martin.

It ended a run without a century stretching back to August 2006, when he made 116 against Pakistan at Headingley, and the throaty roar and wild swing of the bat with which Strauss celebrated reflected his immense relief.

Bell continued to pierce the field with ease as he unfurled his full range of strokes, the most notable of which was a thumping drive off Tim Southee that cannoned into the advertising boards at cover point.

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Ironically, his least authoritative stroke - a mistimed hook to fine leg for four off Martin - took him to a 150-ball hundred containing 15 further fours and two sixes, but he fell shortly after tea when, advancing down the track to Vettori, he miscued a drive to mid-off.

Paul Collingwood maintained the momentum with a rapid 22, which came at quicker than a run a ball, only to provide Vettori with a simple return catch as he pushed forward at a delivery that appeared to stop on him.

That was the last of New Zealand's three wickets on a thoroughly miserable day.

They saw Strauss go past his previous highest score - the 147 he made against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2005 - as he and Tim Ambrose added an unbroken 55 in quick time for the sixth wicket.

Ambrose accompanied Strauss to the close, capitalising on a rare Taylor drop at second slip off Patel when he had made nine to reach 28 not out.

Strauss left the field to a standing ovation, sporting the sort of broad smile which had rarely been seen in the last 18 months.