Andrew Strauss toasted his match-winning century as a moment he would cherish as England rewrote history with a six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second npower Test at Old Trafford.

The former Oxfordshire batsman's 106, his 12th Test hundred, proved the cornerstone of a successful chase of 294, which puts Michael Vaughan's team 1-0 up in the three-match series.

England began the fourth day on 76-1 and Strauss saw them to within 59 runs of victory, which was achieved from the final ball of the afternoon session.

It was England's fifth-highest score to win a Test match and shattered the previous best of 231 in Manches- ter.

On a personal level it was all the sweeter for Strauss given his struggles over the last 12 months, which included him being ditched for the tour of Sri Lanka.

"I had a long period of time where I had played in every Test match and I'd probably forgotten a little bit how lucky I am and how enjoyable it is to play a Test match for England," he said.

"If ever I need a reminder of that, this Test match is a great reminder.

"Wins like this are just so special and when you're sitting by a fireside when you're retired, these are the sort of days you'll really remem- ber."

Strauss top-scored in both innings for England and he has now piled up 406 runs in four knocks since walking to the crease for his career-saving 177 in Napier two months ago.

"I feel very comfortable at the wicket and very calm," Strauss added.

"I haven't felt frustrated at any stage even though at times it's taken me a long time to score my runs.

"Form is that mystery thing and the only way to get it is by scoring runs, but that's not so easy when you're out of nick.

"All I know is that having been through a bad period of form it's really crucial to realise it when you're feeling all right and make sure you make hay when the sun shines.

"It's not often you get an opportunity to get a hundred in the fourth innings of a game to help win a game.

"It's a really special day for me, but even more special for the team because we were under the pump for two days and we didn't play as good a brand of cricket as we'd like to."