Strauss leads record-breakers to Old Trafford triumph with sublime century

The Middlesex left-hander's Test career appeared to have come to a shuddering halt when he was dropped for last year's tour to Sri Lanka after going 26 innings without a century.

But after he received a reprieve for the tour to New Zealand, Strauss has relished his new opportunity and hit a determined but vital 106 to help England secure a six-wicket victory in the second npower Test.

Winning runs: Paul Collingwood celebrates guiding England to victory at Old Trafford

It was Strauss' second century in his last four innings and since he reverted back to opening - he batted at three in New Zealand - he is yet to score lower than 60.

His innings was perhaps his most crucial as he which provided the mainstay of the England innings as they attempted to eclipse the previous highest successful fourth-innings run chase of 231 for three recorded against West Indies in 2004.

Strauss was composed throughout as England battled through another day of strong winds and negotiated the guile of left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori to complete their triumph before tea.

On a pitch we showed considerably less demons than on the previous day when 16 wickets fell, England still had to negotiate some tricky periods before they could ease to their target.

After they resumed the fourth morning needing a further 218 runs to win on 76 for one, the experience of Strauss and Vaughan was vital in guiding England through the early stages.

Vaughan was the more adventurous of the pair during the early stages and was happy to play aggressively against Vettori despite his success from the Sir Brian Statham End just 24 hours previously, when he claimed his second successive five-wicket haul of the series.

But after he progressed to within just two runs of his half-century, Vaughan was lured into a loose drive outside off-stump and edged seamer Chris Martin behind to wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

His demise brought Kevin Pietersen to the crease with England needing a further 144 to win knowing another quick wicket would swing the momentum firmly back towards the tourists.

Pietersen, began nervously, and was fortunate to survive early in his innings when Vettori landed one on his toe but was given the benefit of the doubt for the lbw appeal.

Strauss, though, grew in confidence and having played cautiously until he reached his half-century, expanded his game to resemble the player who took England to the brink of victory with a century in the 2005 Ashes Test at Old Trafford.

It took Strauss just 73 balls to progress from 50 to his hundred, celebrating the milestone by raising both hands above his head to celebrate 12th Test century as the tension surrounding England's run-chase eased with every run.

Relief all round: England captain Michael Vaughan celebrates after his team's victory over New Zealand

But with just 59 runs short of victory, the nervous tension in the England dressing room rose sharply with the loss of two wickets in four overs to leave Ian Bell and Paul Collingwood - two players desperately out of form and battling to retain their places - with the responsibility of guiding their side home. Strauss drove loosely outside off-stump and edged Iain O'Brien to Ross Taylor at slip for 106 and three overs later Pietersen's hopes of claiming his first half-century of the series were halted by his own misjudgement running between the wickets.

Pietersen had turned Vettori around the corner and set off for a quick single and after quickly checking called for another run but was beaten back to the batting crease by O'Brien's accurate throw from the deep.

He stomped off back to the dressing room cursing his misjudgement while the expression of the players on the pavilion balcony suggested the tension was becoming more intense.

Needing 46 with their two most out-of-touch batsmen at the crease, England were by no means certain to triumph - particularly with weather forecasts predicting impending showers.

Bell looked the more composed of the pair and pulled O'Brien for four and then drove through extra cover off the next ball to ease the pressure.

Collingwood, however, seemed unable to time his shots after scoring only eight runs in his previous two innings in the series and particularly struggled to read Vettori's deliveries.

But with one over remaining before tea, Collingwood broke loose by pulling two fours through mid-wicket off all-rounder Jacob Oram to seal England's dramatic victory to extend their unbeaten record at Old Trafford to six matches.