Strauss shines as Bell tolls

Black Caps bowlers put to the sword on third day at McLean Park

Last updated: 25th March 2008

Andrew Strauss century New Zealand v England Napier

Strauss: Returned to form in spectacular fashion

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Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell both struck centuries as England turned the screw on New Zealand in the series decider in Napier.

The tourists reached the end of day three of the third Test on 416-5 in their second innings, giving them a massive lead of 501.

While Bell's display was impressive it was certainly Strauss' performance that will grab the most attention.

With his place in the team under threat and possibly his Test career hanging by a thread, the Middlesex left-hander returned to his best form in the nick of time.

Barren run

After getting a duck on day one he reached the close on 173 not out, his best ever score in international cricket which ends a barren run of 31 Test innings without a three-figure score.

Bell too ended a personal hundred drought by scoring 110 from 167 balls, putting on 187 with Strauss in an excellent fourth-wicket partnership.

It was by far England's most dominant day with the bat on the tour and with two days to go at McLean Park, only the weather should now deny them a series victory which looked so unlikely when they were well beaten in the first Test in Hamilton.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori picked up all three of the wickets to fall as their inexperienced bowling attack looked toothless on a flat pitch.

Any hopes they had of battling back into the match rested on early wickets in the morning, as England resumed already with a 176-run advantage.

The only one they managed to pick up before lunch was that of Kevin Pietersen for 24 courtesy of a sharp reaction catch by Ross Taylor at first slip.

That breakthrough saw Bell come to the crease and the Warwickshire batsman immediately looked to be positive despite managing just 140 runs in the series so far.

He hit eight fours and two sixes to reach his half century in only 80 minutes, something Strauss had taken nine overs to achieve in the morning after resuming overnight on 42 not out.

The afternoon session saw the runs continue to flow, Bell once again being the more aggressive of the two as 135 runs were scored in the period between lunch and tea.

Celebrations

Both batsmen celebrated in an extravagant fashion to reflect their own personal relief at scoring centuries, Strauss signalling to his pregnant wife after making his 11th ton but his first since playing against Pakistan at Headingley in 2006.

Bell's wait had not been quite so long since his last hundreed, although he was equally relieved to reach the landmark again. With batting looking easy it came as a surprise when he finally mis-timed a drive off Vettori straight to mid-off.

Paul Collingwood made a breezy 22 from just 19 deliveries before also being dismissed by the Black Caps' captain when he offered a simple return catch.

However, Strauss remained unmoved throughout the day - finishing in sight of a first ever double hundred - to show how quickly fortunes can change.