England captain Strauss leads from the front

By John Mehaffey

LONDON (Reuters) - England captain Andrew Strauss battled throughout the opening day of the second Ashes test against Australia on Thursday while his team mates seemed intent on squandering their wickets.

At the close Strauss had reached 161 not out, his 18th test century and third against Australia, and also passed 5,000 runs in test cricket.

But England failed to take advantage of an opening stand of 196 between Strauss and Alastair Cook (95) and their score of 364 for six was no more than adequate on a bland Lord's pitch.

Strauss and Cook sped to 126 for no wicket at lunch against some wayward bowling, particularly from the Australian spearhead Mitchell Johnson who conceded 53 from eight wayward overs.

Australia regrouped, despite the loss of off-spinner Nathan Hauritz with a dislocated finger in his bowling hand, while the England middle-order gave their wickets away.

Strauss, batting at the headquarters of his county team Middlesex, took full toll of some disjointed Australian bowling in the opening session as England raced to 126 for no wicket at lunch.

He lost Cook lbw to a rare straight ball from Johnson after a splendid partnership which left Australia in seeming disarray after having much the better of the drawn first test in Cardiff.

DISLOCATED FINGER