Strauss scores a wine century

Team mates of England cricket captain Andrew Strauss have marked his 100th Test match by presenting him with 100 specially commissioned bottles of wine.

Strauss, a known wine enthusiast, was given the 50 bottles of Limited Edition Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and Bordeaux red Chateau le Coin 2010 in a presentation on Wednesday – the eve of his 100th Test appearance in the Third Test against South Africa at Lord’s.

Each of the bottles featured a memorable moment from Strauss’s international career, which began with a century against New Zealand in May 2004.

Laithwaite’s, Official Wine Partner of England Cricket and the supplier of the wines, also gave Strauss 22 bottles of its Premier Cru Champagne, one for each of his Test centuries.

‘We wanted as a team to recognise this major landmark in Straussy’s career,’ said England bowler Jimmy Anderson, who organised the presentation.

‘He is a top player, captain and team-mate, and we are delighted Laithwaite’s could help us mark the occasion with something he’ll truly appreciate.’

Events on the pitch didn’t go so well for Strauss, however, with the England skipper dismissed for 20 on the stroke of lunch on the second day of the Test.

Written by Richard Woodard