Cricket: FREDDIE FLINT'S TON; All-rounder hits form as England take full control.

ANDREW FLINTOFF fulfilled the demand for another spectacular display of attacking strokeplay to become the catalyst for England's push for a crucial victory in the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.

The Lancashire all-rounder has already emerged as a key figure in his maiden Ashes series - claiming the man-of-thematch award in the narrow second Test triumph at Edgbaston and following up with a four-wicket haul as Australia clung on desperately for a draw at Old Trafford.

Impressive as those performances were, though, he eclipsed them yesterday with a stunning century.

It steered England to a daunting total of 477 and provided the spark for England's attack to leave the tourists reeling on 99 for five by the close of the second day.

Flintoff's brilliant 102, compiled off just 132 balls and including a six and 14 fours, provided the impetus for a superb fightback after England had lost Kevin Pietersen to the 25th ball of the day, threatening their hopes of reaching a competitive first innings total. Flintoff dominated a 177-run partnership with wicketkeeper Geraint Jones, enabling England to record their highest Ashes total since scoring 478 for nine declared at Edgbaston in 1997.

Lifted by Flintoff's brilliant century, England's bowlers responded to reduce Australia's misfiring batting line-up to 58 for four with Matthew Hoggard exploiting swing-friendly conditions to claim three for two in 11 balls.

Reluctant as Flintoff is to accept comparisons between himself and another largerthan-life former all-rounder, the manner in which he inspired another day of England domination was strikingly similar to Ian Botham's memorable unbeaten 149 that inspired a win over the Aussies at Headingley in 1981.

That success gave England the momentum to go on and claim an Ashes series victory - and time will tell if Flintoff's efforts will achieve the same outcome.

Once England's tail was polished off and sensing an opportunity to once again plunge Australia into trouble, Yorkshire seamer Hoggard exploited conditions tailor-made for him.

Matthew Hayden never looked likely to break out of his barren spell and Hoggard put him out of his misery by winning the first of four successful lbw appeals.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting was dismissed in identical fashion from Simon Jones while Damien Martyn followed suit by becoming Hoggard's second victim.

Opener Justin Langer played a fulllength delivery and got a bottom edge onto his pad, allowing Ian Bell to take a superb diving catch from short leg.

And England's day of domination was complete when Steve Harmison trapped Michael Clarke with the final delivery of the day

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ENGLAND'S HERO: Andrew Flintoff raises his bat to salute a dazzling century at Trent Bridge yesterday