Strauss props up England innings

Strauss once again held England's batting together in the pivotal, third match of the campaign. But when he picked out opposite number Michael Clarke at midwicket off spinner Nathan Hauritz it meant England were in need of consolidation.

He has struck 63, from just 72 deliveries, as England struggled to 104 for four at the halfway stage of the innings.

Strauss, top scorer in the 2-1 Test win, opted for a change of tactic, having seen his side fail in pursuit of modest scores during the current campaign.

And his innings at least provided hope that one of the top six could go on and develop a start. But he could not fulfil the demand of batting through the innings as he perished attempting to force the pace.

He shared an opening stand of 41 with Ravi Bopara, whose demise came when he attempted a second six off Nathan Bracken.

Matt Prior then pulled straight to square leg without addition to the score and Mitchell Johnson doubled his wicket haul when Owais Shah was adjudged lbw to a delivery which appeared to be going on past off-stump.

Both sides were unchanged for the floodlit contest, one which England must win to claw things back to 2-1.

Light rain had threatened to delay the start of the day-nighter but the toss did take place on time.

Strauss won the toss for the third consecutive match and chose to bat despite the damp conditions.