Strauss reveals 'relief' as century drought ends

England captain Andrew Strauss said he'd experienced a "great feeling of relief" after ending his 18 month-spell without a Test hundred on Friday.

Strauss's unbeaten 121 was the cornerstone of England's 259 for three that gave them a first-innings lead of 16 over the West Indies when bad light ended play on the second day of the first Test here at Lord's.

It was the 35-year-old left-handed opener's 20th Test hundred and came after he'd gone 25 innings at this level without reaching three figures following his 109 against Australia at Brisbane in November 2010.

"Obviously, having not scored a hundred for a while, there was a bit of pressure on me to go out there and get some runs for the lads," said Strauss.

"The last 15 runs or so were quite hard work mentally because I haven't been there for a while so it was a great feeling of relief to finally get those three figures, a really special moment, a great ovation and one of the more special hundreds I've scored.

"That's what I'm employed to do, get runs for the team, and my output hasn't been quite as high as I would have liked over the last 12 months or so," said Strauss, who has now scored five Test tons at Lord's, his Middlesex home ground.

"It was quite hard work and I suppose it's mentally a bit tougher when you are 'searching' for a hundred. When you've scored a few recently it's a bit easier so to get over that line was a great thrill."

However, he stressed: "It doesn't change anything quite frankly, I've still got to go out the next time I bat and get runs and still do my job as captain.

"Nothing changes, it's important we go on and establish an important first-innings lead and win the game.

"That's what I am trying to do at the moment. Whatever the media pressure or 'talking point' might be, it's of no real consequence to us in the side and never has been."

Soon after Strauss cut West Indies captain Darren Sammy for four to go to three figures he found himself being embraced in a bear-hug by batting partner Kevin Pietersen.

"He's obviously been working out in India (where Pietersen has been playing in the Indian Premier League) and put on a bit of strength," joked Strauss.

The only time Strauss looked in any danger was when, on 95, he was dropped in the slips off what turned out to be a no-ball in any event.

"Moments like that, you think there's someone up there looking after you," said Strauss.

Meanwhile Pietersen, who was out for 32, seemed just as pleased as his captain, telling his Twitter followers: "NEVER been as happy for a team mate getting a 100 as I was for Straussy today.

"Absolutely buzzing for him! Good things happen to good ppl (people)!"

Both Strauss and Pietersen have now scored 20 Test hundreds, while team-mate Alastair Cook has 19 to his credit.

The trio are now all in sight of the England record of 22 Test centuries held jointly by Walter Hammond, Colin Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott.

Yorkshire opening great Boycott, commentating for BBC Radio's Test Match Special, said: "Andrew Strauss got the hundred he has been desiring for so long.

"There was not only great excitement, but great relief when he got there and you could see from the standing ovation on the (dressing room) balcony how popular he is.

"He is a good leader and a good batsman but he has had a famine. Over the winter (against Pakistan and Sri Lanka) he has contributed to his own downfall but he played beautifully today (Friday)."