By Martin Gough BBC Sport at Lord's

Bell received an apology from Strauss, who made 128

England captain Andrew Strauss copied his predecessor Nasser Hussain by saying, "Sorry, mate - I'm an idiot" after running team-mate Ian Bell out.

Strauss, on 99, called Bell through for a suicidal single on Sunday in scenes similar to 2004, when Hussain denied Strauss a second century on debut.

"There's not a huge amount I can say, apart from, 'I was an idiot'," he said.

"Being on 99 somehow changes sane men into idiots and I feel sorry for Belly, who was starting to play nicely."

Interview: Andrew Strauss

Strauss had progressed patiently to the brink of his third Test century at his home ground Lord's by the middle of the evening session on day four of the first Test against Pakistan

It's not nice for either party involved but you just move on - no-one does these things on purpose Andrew Strauss

But he suffered a rush of blood to the head when he pushed to mid-wicket, calling Bell through for a single then hesitating.

Warwickshire batsman Bell dived at the striker's end but was well short as Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq hit with a direct throw.

Strauss made a potentially crucial 128 before issuing his apology to Bell who, like Strauss against New Zealand two years ago, had hit a first innings century in the game.

In 2004 Hussain went on to score a match-winning century but retired after Strauss's performance proved England's next generation could step up.

But Bell is far less sure of his future in the team than Strauss was back then, with Andrew Flintoff set to return from injury in the second Test of the series.

"He seemed to take it pretty well but if I was in his position I wouldn't be overly happy," Strauss admitted.

"It's not nice for either party involved but you just move on - no one does these things on purpose.

"I was grateful that Nasser won the game for us - that was the important thing."

I was really impressed by the way he was really perky in the first innings and his keeping has been excellent as well Strauss on Geraint Jones

Strauss went on to defend wicket-keeper Geraint Jones, who is likely to come under renewed pressure for his place after scores of 18 and 16.

Jones' first innings included a six and a four before he was out sweeping, while his second occupied 54 balls before he edged a Danish Kaneria leg break behind.

"He was playing for the team [on Sunday evening] - we didn't need another wicket to fall so he had to do some hard yards," said Strauss.

"In the first innings he was in a situation where we had to be positive and he played for the team there.