Confidence high in the England camp for next battle

England lit up the landmark 2,000th Test with a fine team performance, declaring in both innings and bowling out a much-lauded batting line-up for under 300 twice to seal a 196-run victory.

There were outstanding performers throughout the ranks, with Kevin Pietersen (202no) and Matt Prior (103no) contributing crucial knocks and James Anderson’s 5-65 on the final day capping a complete bowling performance.

The sides meet again at Trent Bridge on Friday, with the home side knowing they can replace India at the top of the ICC rankings by winning the four-match series by two or more matches.

“To be No 1 you have to grab your opportunities and I think we did that very well (at Lord’s),” said Strauss.

“It’s the first of a four-match series but we’ve demonstrated that when we play well we’re a match for anyone. Now we just have to play well again.

“We are aware that this is just the opening salvo in the series, but Lord’s is a hard wicket as the game goes on and the performance was outstanding.

“They were five down at tea (on day five) and we had to work very hard to open up an end. Once we did that we finished them off brilliantly.

“Looking at our first innings total (474-8 declared), that was a magnificent performance too. Kevin was mainly responsible for that – it was one of the great innings I have seen since being involved in the side.”

Strauss also had good reason to be pleased with Stuart Broad’s showing in the match.

The seamer was under pressure after a slow start to the summer against Sri Lanka and many felt that Yorkshire’s fit-again Tim Bresnan deserved a chance to stake his claim ahead of Broad.

But Strauss and team director Andy Flower showed their faith in England’s new Twenty20 captain and were rewarded by a much-improved display.

Broad returned match figures of 7-94, not to mention a vital 74 not out in the second innings, as he put in his best showing since the 2009 Ashes.

Strauss said: “Stuart was outstanding. When your place in the side is called into question it’s a big test of character as much as anything. “Stuart showed immense character over five days. He bowled very well and his second innings 70 was crucial to the outcome of the game. He showed his class here and it is a timely reminder to everyone of what a great talent he is.”

England have named an unchanged 12 for the second Test in Nottingham, with Bresnan again joining the side.