Cricket: I had to dig deep to save England innings, admits Strauss.

Byline: BY RICHARD GIBSON

CENTURION Andrew Strauss admitted England had to "dig deep" after a mini-collapse threatened to undermine their first innings in the Ashes decider at The Oval against Australia.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne single-handedly worked his side into the contest, claiming four for 16 in an eight-over spell either side of lunch after the tourists struggled for an initial breakthrough.

He struck again in the final half hour to remove centurion Strauss (129) during a run of three wickets for 23 runs as England finished on 319 for seven.

Strauss, who now has seven hundreds in only 19 Test appearances, said: "It never felt that comfortable because of the pressure of the situation, we had to dig deep and I really enjoyed playing with Andrew Flintoff out there.

"Marcus Trescothick (43) has been doing really well all series and he continued in that vein, getting 80-odd on board was just what we needed to settle the nerves of the guys.

Although losing three wickets let them (Australia) in and it was hard work from there.

Strauss added: "I think today was about par. If we'd been offered 319 for seven at the start we would have been reasonably happy

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Andrew Strauss celebrates reaching his century at The Oval yesterday FULL ASHES COVERAGE: PAGES 36-37