Flintoff inspires England with victory in sight

Andrew Flintoff, a man with attitude, and Steve Harmison, a man without, combined to leave England in sight of a series-salvaging…

Andrew Flintoff, a man with attitude, and Steve Harmison, a man without, combined to leave England in sight of a series-salvaging win over South Africa in the fifth and final test.

Play had begun nicely poised at The Oval but Flintoff's heavy bat and Harmison's pace and steepling bounce left England on top after a dramatic fourth day.

South Africa, 2-1 up and seeking their first series win in England since 1965, ended on 185 for six in their second innings, 65 runs ahead, with Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock at the crease.

"England looked very intense and bowled really well but Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock are in and they are both fighters," South Africa coach Eric Simons said. "We don't think the game is over. We have had our backs to the wall a few times in the series and managed to stand up."

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The home team resumed their first innings on 502 for seven, 18 runs ahead, and lost Martin Bicknell to Pollock's third delivery of the day.

Flintoff, however, produced perhaps the most important, and certainly most intelligent, innings of his career, hammering 95 runs and putting on 99 for the ninth wicket before England declared on 604 for nine, 120 ahead.

Harmison, his partner, contributed three to their stand before Flintoff attempted a second six off Paul Adams's wrist spin and lost his leg bail after a 104-ball stay.

His innings, taking his series average past 50 and hugely appreciated by a sell-out crowd as well as Simons, who described it as "a bit special and very intelligently played", transformed England's mood.

Wretched in defeat in the fourth test, this time there was a spring in their step as South Africa batted again. Herschelle Gibbs chased a wide James Anderson half-volley and edged behind and skipper Graeme Smith - 714 runs in the series, average 79.33 - soon followed.

Lucky to escape an lbw shout and a millimetre away from stepping into his own stumps, he was trapped in front for 19 by a Bicknell inswinger to make it 34 for two.

Harmison, as imposing a figure as Flintoff but a much quieter character, then made his second major contribution as he took two wickets in four balls without conceding a run.

Gary Kirsten, the innings anchor, snicked him to first slip for 29 and Kallis went lbw for 35 to make it 93 for four. Harmison managed at last to find a perfect length that forced his opponents to jump back or play forward fearing for their front teeth.

Jacques Rudolph followed shortly after tea, completing a wretched series by leaving a Bicknell inswinger that clipped the top of his off stump. Neil McKenzie was last out, lbw to a ball he appeared to edge.

While South Africa will hope for rain on Monday, England will look to finish off what they have begun. They will be aware of the size of that challenge. South Africa's last three wickets added 333 runs in two innings at Headingley.