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Strauss fell for a career-best 147 and Graham Thorpe followed for a duck late in a day England dominated.

"It was really important that I saw the day out so I'm very disappointed to get out as I did, and obviously we lost Thorpey as well," he said.

"But we're in a reasonable position to get through that new ball and put South Africa under pressure again."

Strauss bettered his previous best of 137, made against West Indies at Lord's last year.

The first hour is going to be tough but if we can get through that hopefully the wicket should play pretty well Andrew Strauss

As then, he was in the company of Robert Key, who made 83 in partnership of 182, a venue record for the second wicket.

"We found it pretty hard against the new ball this morning," Strauss continued.

"We realised we had to knuckle down and get over that spell and things got a lot easier from then.

"I quite enjoy batting with him - it was a good partnership and one we definitely needed to have."

Strauss, 27, was born in Johannesburg but his family emigrated when he was seven years old.

"Some of my relations were here but I'm not that familiar with Johannesburg," he said.

England tried to dig a hole, lost the momentum and gave us the game back SA coach Ray Jennings

Captain Michael Vaughan, who made an uncertain nine not out in dimming light, resumes on Friday alongside nightwatchman Matthew Hoggard.

"The first hour is going to be tough but if we can get through that hopefully the wicket should play pretty well," Strauss added.

Coach Ray Jennings revealed a bizarre tactic involving bowler Makhaya Ntini kicked South Africa into life late in the evening session.

"At tea-time he seemed dull and out of it so I put him in an ice bath and it really made him mad," Jennings said.

"He abused me and I said to the other bowlers they had to perform after tea or they would also need to cool off!"

"England tried to dig a hole, lost the momentum and gave us the game back. I think they can walk away disappointed."

Jennings admitted he was fed up with having to watch Strauss bat.

"I thought I was sick of Virender Sehwag in India but Strauss has beat that, he's playing really well," Jennings added.

"We have watched him but he has played so well that it is difficult to see weaknesses.

"He leaves well, plays straight and waits for people to bowl at him, stands tall, his eyes are still and he lets the ball come to him so there are all the signs of a world-class player."