England captain Andrew Strauss was delighted to lead from the front with a century on his home ground of Lord's.
Skipper combines with fellow opener Cook to share stand of 196
England captain Andrew Strauss was delighted to lead from the front with a century on the opening day of the second Ashes Test against Australia.
The Middlesex batsman relished the chance to bat on his home ground of Lord's, making 161 not out to steer his side to 364-6 at the close.
Together with fellow left-hander Alastair Cook, who made 95, Strauss put on 196 for the first wicket before the tourists fought back in the final session.
The 32-year-old's 18th Test ton was his fourth against Australia and he hopes there are still plenty more runs to come on the second day.
Pressure
"As captain you always want to lead from the front," Strauss told
Sky Sports.
"If you don't score runs then it adds pressure, which you don't really need. It's nice to get a big score today and hopefully I can carry it on tomorrow.
"It's a pleasure to bat here. The wicket is always pretty good and today, with a full house in and it being an Ashes Test, it was even more special than usual.
"It was incredible walking through the Long Room - the kind of roar we (Strauss and Cook) received did get the hairs on the back of the neck standing up. It gave us a nice little impetus coming out to the bat."
England had appeared well on their way to a massive first-innings total thanks to the efforts of Strauss - only for four wickets to fall after the tea interval.
The late losses took the shine off a fine opening stand for the hosts, their best against Australia since Michael Atherton and Graham Gooch's 203 in Adelaide back on the 1990-91 Ashes tour.
Frustrating
"It was a little bit frustrating that we couldn't get one more big partnership," Strauss added. "That would have taken us to three or four down at the end, and that would have been a good day.
"From 196 for none I suppose we'd like to be in a better position than we are right now, but we have 360 plus on the board and that's not a bad place to be.
"But we're still there and we still have batters in Broaders (Stuart Broad) and Swanny (Graeme Swann) who are in good form, so there is no reason why we can't go on and push 450.
"We've got to look at 450. Whenever you've got that you're in decent shape."
