Alec Stewart's first Test century for two years was a typical Alec Stewart innings: crisp, clean, and with the majority of the runs through the covers and midwicket. Stewart's trademark strokes are the drive - or timed push - through the arc between point and extra cover, and the dismissive flat pull. As our graph shows, both were features of this innings, with midwicket his most profitable area. In all Stewart scored over 60% (74 out of 123) of his runs on the leg side.

He was at his best against the seamers, cuffing Chaminda Vaas, Dilhara Fernando and Eric Upashantha for 74 runs off 75 balls. That's equivalent to 5.92 an over. Fernando and Upashanta alone went for 49 off 36 balls (8.17 per over). Against the spinners - Muttiah Muralitharan and Sanath Jayasuriya - he made 49 off 116 balls (2.53 per over).

Stewart also eased past a quarter of greats - Clive Lloyd, Mark Taylor, Gordon Greenidge and Colin Cowdrey, in this innings, on his way to 13th on the alltime Test runscorers list.

This was Stewart's third century at Old Trafford, putting it on a par with Lord's as his most prolific ground. England have never lost a Test when Stewart has made a hundred. This is his 15th, and they do not look set to start now.

Rob Smyth is on the staff of Wisden.com.

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