The England cricket team are scenting victory in the third Test of the 2009 Ashes series at Edgbaston and surely only the weather which put paid to any play yesterday, can top them going 2-0 up. The hero was of course Andrew Flintoff, whose 74 runs put England in control.

Flintoff, Matt Prior (41) and Stuart Broad (55) all played with panache leaving England on 376 after they started the mornings play on 116 for two. Captain Andrew Strauss was out for 69, edging a catch to wicketkeeper Graham Manou off Ben Hilfenhaus. The Aussie seam bowlers made the most of the conditions which favoured them and England were beginning to struggle and runs did not come easily to them. Just before lunch, Hilfenhaus had Paul Collingwood (13) edge to Ponting at second slip. England at lunch were 159 for four with Bell reaching fifty just after the interval. However he had only added three before Johnson had him lbw.

Then Flintoff joined Prior at the crease and the pair put on a powerful display of batting  to make 89 off 97 balls and the match swung in England’s favour. Freddie Flintoff played a number of delicious drives partnered by Prior who was eventually out for 41 to Peter Siddle. Flintoff looked well on his way to his century when he was caught at slip off of the bowling of Nathan Hauritz. The popular all-rounder departed to a well deserved standing ovation from the Edgbaston crowd. The good work was continued by Broad and Swann, Broad struck 55 off 64 balls, Swann a swift 24

 Katich was the first Australian wicket to fall in their second innings  on 26, caught by the England wicket  keeper Matt Prior off Graham Onions followed later by a fantastic bowling spell from Graeme Swann taking  the prize wicket of the Australian captain Ponting with a text book off-spinner which bowled him through the gate. Shane Watson was unbeaten on 34 at the close of play with Michael Hussey on 18.

The Australians ended the fourth day on 88 for two, 25 runs behind, and England who have a fighting chance of going two up in the 2009 Ashes series. It will be the English for once who will hope for the rain to stay away long enough for their bowling attack to complete the victory over the tourists.