Strauss stars for England

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The Middlesex left-hander finished the third day at the Chepauk Stadium unbeaten on 73 alongside Paul Collingwood (60 not out), having led the tourists to 172 for three and a daunting 247-run lead over India.

It kept him on course to become only the 10th England player in history to hit centuries in both innings of a Test following the crucial 123 he recorded in the first innings.

His 256-minute innings, which included five boundaries, ensured England were able to withstand an Indian fightback in the afternoon session when they lost two wickets in six balls and slumped to 43 for three having secured a 75-run first-innings lead.

The tourists' troubles began with Alastair Cook edging Ishant Sharma behind in the ninth over before India's spinners struck in successive overs.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra removed Ian Bell, who deflected a turning delivery to short leg, and Yuvraj Singh won an lbw appeal against Kevin Pietersen with his first delivery.

Strauss also received a reprieve during a testing spell from Mishra when he edged behind on 15, but MS Dhoni was unable to take the catch standing up to the stumps.

Having survived that high-pressure spell, Strauss and Collingwood combined in an unbroken 129-run partnership which put England on course for a match-winning lead.

Earlier in the day, MS Dhoni (53) and Harbhajan Singh (40) forged a crucial 76-run stand to frustrate the tourists - but Monty Panesar eventually removed both men.