Spirit of Flintoff

Edgbaston. Third Ashes Test - day four

Preview

England will hope for fine weather so that they can have a large first innings lead and then bowl Australia out for an innings win. Andy Flower promised that was possible when rain brought any prospect of play to an end yesterday afternoon but he and the selectors have longer term problems to talk through soon.

It looks as if it is time Stuart Broad was sent back to Nottinghsmshire for a long spell so that he can develop into a high class bowler, learn restraint and decide whether he is going to be a blast-'em-out quick or a line-and length man, and to develop his batting.

There is vast potential but England may have to be patient and to remember what sort of man his father was. There is still time; they should use it.

To lunch.

An hour in which two more England wickets fell to soppy shots. Andrew Strauss tried to cut a ball that lifted and Paul Collingwood spent half an hour making 13 and then edged a ball to Ponting.

Both to Ben Hilfenhaus,the best Aussie bowler which does not say a lot for the rest. That is three in a row, 12 in the series; just think what a force he might have been if only Mitchell Johnson had bowled in the first two Tests as he bowled this morning.

England will be tested now, 104 behind with four wickets gone, and still facing a deficit on first innings. This Test is far from finished.

Loud voices could be heard complaining that the game did not start until noon yet the ground staff here have worked as hard as anyone could expect to get this match underway. England fans may be glad of the lost time by tomorrow evening.

To tea

The spirit of Andrew Flintoff carried the game away from Australia to such an extent that England led by 53 after scoring 157 in the two and a half hour session.

Ten great overs on the final morning at Lord's and now, on his favourite ground, Flintoff showed what England are losing when he retires after the fifth Test. He made top score of 74 off 79 balls, hit a six to level the scores and a four in the same over to bring up his fifty.

Even his dismissal was an inspiration for a ball from Nathan Hauritz leapt from a pothole by way of his glove to slip. Matt Prior and Broad, batting to save his place, offered sensible back-up but make no mistake about the importance of this innings at almost a run a ball.

It puts England in the driving seat, with their whip poised and with every chance of winning the match and - but for a fluke - the series tomorrow.

To close

Broad, who began the day under a cloud, had the sunniest smile as England built a lead of 113 and then, glory be, Graham Onions had Simon Katich caught behind and Graeme Swann bowled the ball of the series. It drew Ricky Ponting forward, turned sharply and bowled him through the gate.

Ponting had to drag himself away. I think he has been aware for a while that Australia cannot compete with this England.

They finished on 88-2, still 25 adrift, and the general assumption was that, with a fine weather forecast the result looks settled If Australia survive, you certainly will not forget their struggle in a hurry.