England win series

All-rounder Flintoff struck his second half-century in as many visits to the crease as South Africa were crushed by 126 runs at The Brit Oval to open up an unassailable lead.

Although England might have cursed the fact they had not made more of a blistering start, their score of 296 for seven maintained their momentum in the series.

The 30-year-old also struck 78 in the campaign-opening win at Headingley to signal his return to form at the top level.

He followed up with two wickets as England continued their dominance over the Proteas which began on the same ground earlier this month when they triumphed in the final Test.

Three one-day internationals under Kevin Pietersen since and three comprehensive wins.

Now a 5-0 whitewash, an unthinkable result a fortnight ago, would catapult England above the South Africans into second place in the official one-day standings.

In five years of official rankings, England have never occupied such a lofty position.

The latest success included a first one-day 50 for Ian Bell this summer and a fine display from Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel, who followed up a mature 31 with a maiden five-wicket international haul.