Flintoff inspires England again

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The 31-year-old all-rounder, poised to retire from Test cricket at the end of the npower series, has always saved his most eye-catching performances for Birmingham and revived memories of his highest Test score - 167 against the West Indies in 2004 - and half-centuries in each innings in the Ashes series in 2005 on Sunday.

Flintoff become the catalyst for a stunning England fightback with a superb 74 off 79 balls, which left Australia facing the prospect of successive defeats after reaching the close of the fourth day struggling on 88 for two - still trailing by 25 runs.

Frustrated by the complete washout of the third day, England knew they would need an exceptional performance to force a positive result after resuming 147 runs adrift on 116 for two.

Ben Hilfenhaus dismissed Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood before lunch with edges behind and Ian Bell was out lbw to Mitchell Johnson leaving England trailing by 95 runs with five wickets down.

It was the key passage of the game - and it was seized by England, Flintoff teaming up with wicketkeeper Matt Prior (41) to aggressively take the momentum from Australia.

It was Flintoff's best innings on English soil since his last Test century against Australia at Trent Bridge four years ago, and helped England move from 200 to 300 in just 90 balls.

Just as tea approached, however, Nathan Hauritz finally found some turn and bounce - and Flintoff, who hit 10 fours and a six during his two-hour innings, gloved to slip. Stuart Broad (55) helped England extend that first-innings advantage to 113 runs and leave Australia with a tense final day.

Australia were given 28 overs to make an impression in reply, but Graham Onions delivered a superb outswinger which had left-hander Simon Katich edging behind to end a promising 47-run opening stand.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann struck in the next over to claim England's second wicket in 11 balls, bowling Ricky Ponting as he pushed forward defensively with a delivery which spun back sharply between bat and pad on to the stumps.