ENGLAND openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook continued to blunt the New Zealand attack at Lord`s on the morning of day three of the first Test at Lord`s.As the inclement weather continued to play havoc with the scheduled order of play, only an hour of play was possible in the opening session before the umpires called an early lunch.
Cook and Strauss made serene progress in the 8.5 overs that were possible after rain and bad light delayed the start by 25 minutes.
Resuming at 68 for no wicket England moved to 89 without loss in reply to New Zealand`s first innings total of 277 all out.
Cook, 43 not out overnight, brought up his 10th Test fifty with a crisp punch off the back foot off Kyle Mills.
The 23-year-old enjoys batting at Lord`s having scored two of his previous seven Test centuries at the home of cricket.
Strauss also looked in good touch, moving his feet with purpose as he looked to back up his 177 at Napier in the last Test of the winter tour of New Zealand with another big score.
The Middlesex batsman looked comfortable with his move back to the top of the order, where he started his England career in 2004 at the same ground, following Michael Vaughan`s decision to revert to number three.
He played the shot of the morning off Kiwi paceman Chris Martin when he rocked back on his heels to a short pitched delivery outside off stump and deftly flicked the ball over the slips for four.
But the weather continued to frustrate the crowd and the players by intervening yet again shortly afterwards.
This is the first Test of a three match series.
Agence France-Presse
