Captain Andrew Strauss' 16th Test century has put England in a strong position in their quest to turn around the Test series.

Already without key all-rounder Andrew Flintoff for this match, due to a hip injury, the tourists may well have to strive to overturn their 1-0 deficit without him completely.

An announcement on his progress is expected on Friday, with a return to the UK for rehabilitation a distinct possibility.

"It is important as captain to lead by example"

However, England have started in a manner which suggests they can win an 11th match without their talismanic all-rounder since the 2005 Ashes.

"It is important as captain to lead by example and I suppose if you want a team to play in a positive way then you show you are able to do that yourself," said Strauss. "I am fortunate at the moment that I am feeling in good form and that makes it easier to go out and be positive.

"The last couple of wickets we've played on, the ball has come onto the bat pretty well. After seven or eight overs it became apparent that the percentages were slightly in our favour.

"In those circumstances it is important to be positive and take the game to the opposition. You get a rhythm to your batting on any given day and certainly I felt that continuing to be positive was the best way for me to go in this instance.

"It is great to be playing with freedom here but I personally believe you need to earn the right to play with that freedom, and maybe the grafting innings I played last summer have helped me get enough confidence to be able to play with more freedom."

West Indies dropped catches

During the infancy of Strauss' four-hour effort, 31-year-old Flintoff received treatment for his latest injury niggle in the dressing room.

And there was a strong hint that that may now take place back home when Strauss said: "He is obviously continuing with his rehabilitation and there will be some news on him soon in terms of what his best plan is rehabilitation-wise."

England appeared to be on course to finish in an even stronger position after reaching tea on 221 without loss.

But three wickets in the first hour of the evening, including Alastair Cook for 94 - the 11th time in the past 12 months he has failed to turn half-centuries into hundreds - pegged them back.

The West Indies were left to rue missed opportunities as captain Chris Gayle dropped Strauss, on 58, from a straightforward chance to slip and Jerome Taylor fluffed a catch in the deep offered by a Kevin Pietersen top-edge late on.

"Things are not going to change overnight, these things take time," said coach John Dyson, of the missed opportunities.

Dyson added: "The wicket is an exceptional batting wicket and I am sure our batsmen will be taking note of what a good surface it is in anticipation of batting on it themselves."