The all-rounder delivered with bat and ball to secure England's seven-wicket victory with 14 balls remaining at Lord's under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Flintoff claimed 3-21 from seven overs to help restrict South Africa to 183-6 off 32.1 overs in a match initially reduced to 39 overs by rain and then 33 overs before more showers brought an abrupt halt to their innings.

Given a victory target of just 137 in 20 overs, he then completed England's win by hammering an unbeaten 31 off only 12 balls to put them 4-0 ahead in the series with one match to play.


Victory in that would secure England's first 5-0 NatWest Series whitewash and propel them to second in the world one-day rankings.

England's victory charge began nervously with openers Ian Bell and Matt Prior both falling inside the first five overs. It took a stunning 74-run stand off 58 balls between Kevin Pietersen and Owais Shah to restore their superiority and give them the momentum required.

Prior was caught behind trying to step away and hit Dale Steyn over extra cover only to edge behind, and Bell fell when he also edged behind.

At 19-2, England badly needed their captain to find some momentum but initially it was Shah who provided it by hitting Vernon Philander for two boundaries in an over.

The turning point was the 11th over of England's reply when Jacques Kallis, leading the team in the absence of the injured Graeme Smith, brought himself into the attack and Pietersen rose to the challenge, hitting three successive fours before Shah brought up the 50 partnership off only 39 balls with a six over mid-wicket in an over which cost 20 and tilted the balance firmly in England's favour.

Off-spinner Johan Botha ended the stand when Pietersen was caught in the deep attempting a slog sweep.

Flintoff then stole the show, overshadowing Shah's 44 off 40 balls, which included four fours and a six.

He hit a six and five boundaries in his innings, including a four off Andre Nel backward of square to seal victory.

He had earlier dominated England's bowling display after Pietersen won the toss. Hershelle Gibbs and Hashim Amla raced to a 66-run stand in 10 overs before the latter was run out off Flintoff's first delivery when a mix-up over a quick single enabled Shah to throw down the stumps.

Flintoff claimed the crucial wicket of Kallis in his next over, caught behind, and then took a fine catch at deep mid-wicket to remove AB de Villiers, who had tried to slog sweep Samit Patel. He then returned to dismiss JP Duminy and Philander as South Africa chased quick runs towards the end of their innings.

But for the contribution of Gibbs, who hit 74 off 75 balls before playing on to Stuart Broad, South Africa would have been in danger of registering another under-par total.