Flintoff goes forth in search of a win; THE ASHES: Freddie's sparkling innings leaves Aussies battling for survival.

Byline: Myles Hodgson

ANDREW FLINTOFF marked his return to Edgbaston with another influential display as England pushed for victory in the third Ashes Test.

The 31-year-old all-rounder, poised to retire from Test cricket at the end of the series, has always saved his most eye-catching performances for Birmingham.

Four years ago he claimed a halfcentury in both innings and delivered the over of his life, which included the wickets of Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting, to help secure England's nail-biting two-run victory over Australia.

Flintoff revived those memories yesterday and become the catalyst for a stunning England fightback with a superb 74 off 79 balls, which left Australia facing the prospect of successive defeats after reaching the close of the fourth day struggling on 88 for two - still trailing by 25 runs.

Frustrated by the washout of the third day, England knew they would need an exceptional performance to force a positive result after resuming on 116 for two.

Australia had looked the more likely to seize control and bounce back from their defeat at Lord's, Ben Hilfenhaus utilising swingfriendly conditions to dismiss Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood before lunch.

When Ian Bell was caught in front five overs after lunch when leftarm seamer Mitchell Johnson won the verdict this time to leave England trailing by 95 runs with five wickets down.

It was the key passage of the game - and it was seized by England, Flintoff teaming up aggressively with Matt Prior.

Australia attempted to unsettle Flintoff, but it only served to inspire his best innings on English soil since his last Test century against Australia at Trent Bridge four years ago, and helped England move from 200 to 300 in 90 balls.

All-rounder Shane Watson was hit out of the attack after conceding 23 runs in three overs - and even the loss of Prior for 41, when he mistimed an attempted pull to mid-on off seamer Peter Siddle, failed to stall Flintoff.

Stuart Broad, under pressure for his place after struggling to make an impact with the ball so far in the series, demonstrated his poten-tiato perhaps replace Flintoff as the side's all-rounder in the future by helping to forge another halfcentury stand at almost a run a ball.

Just as tea approached, however, Hauritz finally found some turn and bounce - and Flintoff, who hit 10 fours and a six, gloved to slip as he attempted to leave, having guided England into a priceless 46-run lead. Broad's ability with the bat helped England extend that advantage to 113 runs and leave Australia with a tense final day.

Given 28 overs to make an impression on Australia's reply, it was not until Durham seamer Graham Onions was brought into the attack for Flintoff that England made their breakthrough.

Onions delivered a superb outswinger which had left-hander Simon Katich edging behind to end a promising 47-run opening stand.

Off-spinner Graeme Swann struck in the next over, bowling Ricky Ponting with a delivery which spun back sharply between bat and pad.

CAPTION(S):

QUICK SCORING... Andrew Flintoff raced to 74 off just 79 balls as England looked to rack up a first innings lead. ALL-ROUND IMPACT... Australia captain Ricky Ponting is bowled by England spinner Graeme Swann, who had earlier hit 24 (right) in England's first innings total of 376.