Flintoff shines as England struggle

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff was left stranded as some farcical dismissals resulted in England being shot out for 231 on the opening day of the third Test at Edgbaston.

Flintoff showed signs of his very best in hitting an unbeaten 36 only for two inept run-outs in consecutive balls to terminate the innings, but he did boost faltering English hopes of levelling the npower series by removing Proteas captain Graeme Smith with the second ball of his opening over, a wicket maiden from the pavilion end.

South Africa closed on 38 for one after Andrew Strauss held left-hander Smith low down at first slip.

England began positively after captain Michael Vaughan won the toss but once the opening stand of 68 was severed by Strauss' stray boot - in a hit-wicket dismissal - they lost regular wickets in worrying echoes from the loss in Leeds.

Flintoff, featuring in only his second Test match since returning from an 18-month lay-off, was forced into a repair job with Tim Ambrose after six wickets tumbled inside the first two sessions.

Both played with restraint in the circumstances, although an apologetic defensive push from the latter saw them separated following a 19-over alliance.

Although opener Alastair Cook and Ian Bell, on his home ground, struck half-centuries, England's batsmen once again folded after the first half-dozen wickets tumbled for 138 and 152 in the 10-wicket defeat at Headingley.

Left with only the tail for company, Flintoff cracked a four and a six off consecutive Makhaya Ntini deliveries but the innings was culminated in the same over.

Flintoff's call for a sharp single led to the sacrifice of James Anderson before Monty Panesar inexplicably called for two, after turning to long leg, and was a yard short when wicketkeeper Mark Boucher confirmed his demise from Hashim Amla's throw.