Andrew Flintoff made a crucial breakthrough for England in unusual manner as The Oval braced itself for Ashes glory.

England all-rounder Flintoff, featuring in his 79th and final Test, finally had his telling impact on the npower series decider when he threw down the stumps to dismiss Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

It was the pivotal moment of the fourth day and perhaps the entire match, with Ponting well set on 66, alongside Michael Hussey.

The third-wicket pair had shared 127 runs, in fact, when Flintoff, retiring from Tests at the conclusion of this match, made his mark.

Australia had appeared to be re-writing the script during a 40-over period of high-class batting which began in difficult circumstances this morning.

But they took tea on 265 for five after Flintoff's intervention at 2.34pm.

When left-hander Hussey struck a full delivery from Steve Harmison, operating from the pavilion end, to mid-on and called for a single, Flintoff seized on the opportunity and Ponting paid for initial ball-watching as a side-arm throw spectacularly found its target at the batsman's end.

Flintoff's arms were thrown skywards and his team-mates rushed to mob him, certain of Ponting's fate before third umpire Peter Hartley confirmed it.