Cricket: Stats come second for rising star

PORT ELIZABETH - Andrew Strauss appeared unfazed by his own extraordinary success yesterday after making an unbeaten century for England in the first cricket test against South Africa.

His 120 not out meant Strauss joined an elite band of players to score centuries in their first tests both home and away.

Playing in only his eighth test, he also became the first player in history to score a century in his maiden test against three different countries.

"You could go on about those stats all day long," said Strauss later.

"I'm delighted, but I won't be putting it up on my wall."

The 27-year-old Middlesex player has looked perfectly designed, both technically and mentally, for test cricket since his debut in May.

What really mattered to him, however, was England's impetus.

"The first game against any opposition is important and you want to lay down a marker for the rest of the series.

"In the first game you want to show the opposition what you've got, and fortunately Marcus [Trescothick] and I were able to do that [in an opening stand of 152]."

England ended the second day on 227 for one in reply to South Africa's first innings of 337.

The left-handed Strauss scored 112 on his debut against New Zealand at Lord's, and 137 against the West Indies at the same ground in July.

He was born in Johannesburg but success in the country of his birth did not hold special significance.

"I had six good years growing up here, but I was so young and I only have the occasional flash of memories from the first six years."

Shaun Pollock was the pick of the South African attack with miserly figures of nought for 25 from 18 overs, and Strauss said it was no surprise he was among the world's best.

Boeta Dippenaar top-scored for South Africa with 110, his third century.

"The pressure is on me in terms of my position in the side, so to score runs against England's quality attack is special for me," Dippenaar said.

"I had to use the opportunity."

Dippenaar said South Africa were "70 to 80 runs short, we needed to get to 400".

- REUTERS