Solid Strauss leads England reply

Andrew Strauss made a convincing start as England replied to West Indies' first-innings 243 all out at Lord's.

The England captain, under the microscope as his quest for only a second Test century in his last 51 attempts continues, eased into double-figures and then set about watchful consolidation in a lunchtime total of 80 for one on day two of the series opener.

Strauss (31no) was outscored initially by Alastair Cook, but was by far the more comfortable of England's two left-handed openers on a cloudy morning.

He was under way with a controlled push off the back foot for three behind square on the off-side from the bowling of Fidel Edwards, from the fourth ball of the innings.

A cover-driven boundary off the same bowler soon followed.

By contrast, slips and gully were kept interested by Cook who edged and smeared four early boundaries - two aerial - off Kemar Roach.

There was some justice for the bowler, though, when Cook aimed a cut at him but edged back on to his stumps.

Strauss was therefore joined by Jonathan Trott, as England closed out the session for no further loss.

Stuart Broad needed just one ball this morning to consign West Indies' debutant number 11 Shannon Gabriel to a golden duck, and claim new career-best figures.

Broad (seven for 72) had Edwards acrobatically caught-behind by Matt Prior with the last ball of the first day and he immediately produced a testing delivery on a length and near off-stump this morning - which Gabriel edged to Graeme Swann at second slip.