Flintoff half-century puts England in command

Andrew Flintoffs brisk innings of 74 helped England manage 376 in their second innings on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test to lead Australia by 53 runs.

Andrew Flintoffs brisk innings of 74 helped England manage 376 in their second innings on the fourth day of the third Ashes Test to lead Australia by 53 runs. At stumps on Sunday,Australia were 88 for two,with Shane Watson 34 and Michael Hussey 18 occupying the crease.

On a day that began an hour late because of a wet outfield,England lost Ian Bell for 53 and Matt Prior for 41 after lunch. But Flintoff then played a typically aggressive innings,hitting 10 fours and a six in 79 balls before being dismissed just before tea.

Flintoff attempted to leave a short delivery from off-spinner Nathan Hauritz but was helpless when the ball spun back into him and flicked his glove on the way to slip Michael Clarke. Flintoff received a standing ovation as he made his way off the ground.

Australia,seeking to retain the Ashes and 1-0 down in the five-match series,will now struggle to force the pace of the game enough to chase an unlikely victory after 60 overs were lost to rain on Thursday and all of Saturday was washed out.

Flintoffs sixth-wicket partnership of 89 from 97 deliveries with Prior turned the match in Englands favour after Bell departed five overs after lunch. Bell,having already survived three close lbw appeals,was finally lbw to left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson.

Flintoff soon asserted his authority and played a signature straight drive for four off medium-pacer Shane Watson in his first over. He played a second straight drive along the floor for another boundary in Watsons second over.

All-rounder Flintoff,retiring from Tests after the series because of injury troubles,brought England level with Australias 263 with a six over long-on off Hauritz. A powerful sweep shot two balls later gave England the lead and Flintoff his half-century.

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Peter Siddle unsettled Flintoff briefly when he struck him on the chest after taking his eye off the ball. But that was a rare moment of unease as 13 still came from that over in a four-over spell that cost 40 runs.

Priors 59-ball effort ended when he mistimed a short ball from Siddle and managed only to scoop it to mid-on. But Stuart Broad 20 not out did not allow the momentum to subside. He registered a 50 stand in 52 balls with Flintoff,who was out next delivery.

After England resumed on its overnight score of 116-2,captain Andrew Strauss was caught by wicketkeeper Graham Manou for 69 off Ben Hilfenhaus,trying to cut a short ball that was too close to him.

Paul Collingwood was caught at second slip Ricky Ponting off Hilfenhaus for 13 on the last ball before lunch. Hilfenhaus was the pick of the bowlers,taking 3-83 off 25 overs,while Siddle claimed 2-88 from 20 overs.

SCOREBOARD

Australia first innings: 263

England first innings: overnight116/2

A. Strauss c Manou b Hilfenhaus 69

A. Cook c Manou b Siddle 0

R. Bopara b Hilfenhaus 23

I. Bell lbw b Johnson 53

P. Collingwood c Ponting b Hilfenhaus 13

M. Prior c sub b Siddle 41

A. Flintoff c Clarke b Hauritz 74

S. Broad c amp; b Siddle 55

G. Swann c North b Johnson 24

J. Anderson c Manou b Hilfenhaus 1

G. Onions not out 2

Extras lb 4,nb 9,w 6,b 2: 21

Total all out; 93.3 overs: 376

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FoW: 1-2,2-60,3-141,4-159,5-168,6-257,7-309,8-348,9-355; Bowling: Hilfenhaus 30-7-109-4,Siddle 21.3-3-89-3,Hauritz 18-2-57-1,Johnson 21-1-92-2,Watson 3-0-23-0

Australia second innings:

S Watson not out 34

S. Katich c Prior b Onions 26

R. Ponting b Swann 5

M. Hussey not out 18

Extras b 4,nb 1: 5

Total two wickets; 28 overs 88

FoW: 1-47,2-52; Bowling: Anderson 8-4-19-0,

Flintoff 4-0-11-0,Onions 7-2-30-1,Swann 9-2-24-1