CRICKET: ENGLAND v AUSTRALIA FINAL ASHES TEST: England held u by Shane show; Aussie ace's five-wicket haul on farewell Test.

Byline: By MYLES HODGSON

SHANE WARNE chose his farewell Test in England to deliver another telling display and leave the hosts struggling to reach an imposing total at The Oval in the deciding Ashes Test.

Due to celebrate his 36th birthday on Tuesday, Warne has already announced this would be the scene of his last Test appearance on English soil having been the key factor in Australia's Ashes dominance since he first toured here 12 years ago.

He may not possess the same variety he did in 1993, but Warne chose the opening day of the crucial npower Test to demonstrate he still has enough guile to deliver.

Warne's 5-118 helped restrict England to 319-7, a modest score on a bat-friendly wicket after they won the toss, hoping to become the fifth team in seven Tests to bat first and win at The Oval.

His performance typified Australia's statement of intent for a Test they must win to prevent England's young and dynamic side from winning the Ashes for the first time since 1986-7 - four years before Warne first stepped onto the Test stage.

Dominated in the last three Tests since winning convincingly at Lord's, Australia rediscovered the zest and vigour missing during defeats at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge and prompted the possibility of another gripping Test.

Had England batted with more discipline they could have reached a firstinnings total of more than 450 and almost batted Australia out of the match, particularly after taking the gamble to include all-rounder Paul Collingwood as Simon Jones' replacement.

Instead, Warne claimed the 31st five-wicket haul of his phenomenal career and despite Andrew Strauss claiming his seventh century in 19 Tests, by the close Australia were firmly in control knowing they still had to bat against an England attack with only four specialist bowlers.

England enjoyed a profitable start with Marcus Trescothick and Strauss combining to forge an 82-run opening stand which appeared to have laid the foundation for a major first-innings total.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting was forced to turn to Warne in only the 14th over ofthe innings in hope of stemming the run flow by using him as a partnership breaker.

Warne took only 15 balls to find his range, ending Trescothick's innings seven runs short of his half-century when he edged outside off-stump low to Matthew Hayden at slip, the first of four wickets for 16 in 49 balls.

Captain Michael Vaughan had already played his part by winning the toss and giving England first use of the good wicket, but his influence was minimal after that. After progressing to 11, he gifted Warne his second wicket by pushing straight to Michael Clarke at mid-wicket off the back foot.

Not for the first time this series, Warne was the saviour for Australia and his successful lbw appeal against Ian Bell for a duck ended eight scratchy minutes at the crease for the Warwickshire batsman.

England's capitulation continued after the interval with Kevin Pietersen using a little too much aggression against close friend Warne and was bowled hitting across the line just seven overs after lunch.

While his team-mates struggled, Strauss had looked composed and was in desperate need of a partner to guide England towards a respectable total.

That was again provided by Andrew Flintoff, who had already claimed 322 runs in the series before he bounced down the steps of The Oval pavilion and received his customary welcome.

Forced to play a disciplined innings by the situation, Flintoff combined intelligently with Strauss to forge a 143-run stand which frustrated Australia for 37 overs and helped guide the Middlesex left-hander past his century.

Watched by wife Ruth in the crowd, Strauss was happy to play a supporting role at times to Flintoff's powerful strokeplay, which had already caused him to change his bat after one powerful drive too many brought 12th man James Anderson out with a replacement.

But after more than four hours at the crease, Strauss brought up three figures with a four through mid-wicket off Brett Lee and was immediately engulfed with a big Flintoff bear-hug before accepting the standing ovation from another sell-out crowd.

Just as the crowd began savouring the possibility of Flintoff emulating Strauss' efforts, he attempted a late glance off Glenn McGrath and was caught low at slip by Warne for 72, which included a six and 12 other boundaries.

His demise prompted an untimely loss of three wickets in nine overs with Collingwood falling six overs later, unluckily given leg before to Shaun Tait, while Warne returned to end Strauss' defiance with a catch at silly point.

Impressive Strauss, who hit 17 boundaries during his 129, provided Warne with his fifth wicket and left him needing only three more to claim the most England Test wickets, eclipsing Dennis Lillee's 167

CAPTION(S):

Andrew Flintoff (left) and Andrew Strauss do their best to help England to a decent total at The Oval; S h a n e W a r n e; England batting hero Andrew Strauss (left) walks away after he is dismissed by Shane Warne in the final Ashes Test in what is set to be another nail-biter