Strauss leads by example

Strauss celebrated an 82-ball fifty shortly after opposite number Chris Gayle failed to cling onto a sharp chance at slip via a cut off spinner Sulieman Benn.

It was the West Indians' one opportunity of note, after winning the toss at the Antigua Recreation Ground, and England were therefore well placed on 104 without loss after Strauss lofted Benn for a straight six.

Alastair Cook, the more subdued of England's two left-handed openers, cut and pulled more authoritatively after lunch.

Groundstaff had worked around the clock to get this match under way but the overnight weather left wet patches on the outfield, with one particular area a quagmire.

But both teams showed a willingness to play this contest at short notice after the farce on Friday which accounted for the second Test after just 10 balls.

Fears that the pitch may be livelier than is the norm in Test cricket, however, were allayed after Gayle inserted the tourists.

Strauss dominated the scoring, driving straight down the ground in an impressive manner, but Cook's lack of fluency did not stop him moving to an unbeaten 40.

One of Strauss' eight fours, straight-driven off Daren Powell, drew considerable cheer as it crossed the rope: the ironic acknowledgement of surpassing the 51 England were dismissed for in Jamaica last weekend.