Cricket: The Ashes 2005: England foiled by that man Warne again.

Byline: BY MYLES HODGSON

SHANE WARNE chose his farewell Test in this country to deliver another telling display and leave England 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 of delivery that he did back in 1993, but Warne chose the opening day of the crucial final npower Test to demonstrate he still has enough guile to deliver when it matters.

Warne's five for 118 helped restrict England to 319-7, a modest score on a batsman-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 also typified Australia's statement of intent for a Test which they must win if they are to prevent England's young and dynamic side from winning the Ashes for the first time since 1986-7.

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

Had England batted with more discipline on a good surface they could have reached a first-innings total of more than 450 and almost bat Australia out of the match, particularly after taking the gamble to include allrounder 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 had enjoyed a profitable start with Marcus Trescothick and Strauss combining to forge an 82-run opening stand.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting was forced to turn to Warne in only the 14th over of the innings more 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 runs in 49 balls either side of lunch.

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 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 to make an impression, Strauss had looked composed at the other end and was in desperate need of a partner to guide England towards a respectable total at best.

That was once again provided by all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who had already claimed 322 runs in the series even before he bounced down the steps of The Oval pavilion and received his customary lively 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 lefthander past his century.

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' long defiance with a catch at silly point.

Strauss, who hit 17 boundaries during his superb 129, provided Warne with his fifth wicket and left him needing only three more victims to have claimed the most England Test wickets in history, eclipsing Dennis Lillee's total of 167

CAPTION(S):

Australia's Michael Katich dives to take a catch to dismiss Andrew Strauss yesterday