Third Test: Flintoff rallies England in fightback

Talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff produced an inspired spell to rekindle England hopes of levelling the npower Test series against South Africa at Edgbaston.

Flintoff dismissed the tourists' star batsman Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers during a hostile spell of 6-2-15-2 on the second evening.

Kallis was dismissed by a searing yorker which cartwheeled off-stump to send the home crowd into raptures.

Kallis, who hit 64, had been given a torrid working over by the 30-year-old and following a succession of bouncers and yorkers, missed one arrowed in at off-stump and straightening.

For Flintoff it was reward for his incredible effort from the city end - he had Kallis plumb lbw in his previous over but umpire Aleem Dar remained unmoved.

Flintoff then made a further inroad in the murky light as a ferocious bouncer, clocked at 89 miles per hour, enticed De Villiers into a hook which was swallowed by Sidebottom at fine leg.

That success increased the volume around the ground and meant England were 25 runs in arrears when bad light brought a weather-hit day to a premature close with the South Africans 256 for six.

Flintoff's effort, which left him with innings figures of four for 68, was reminiscent of his Ashes heroics three years ago but England should be wary of the fact he sent down 24 overs today - a heavy workload for a man playing just his second Test following a lay-off of 18 months.