Trott boosts England's victory hopes

Andrew Flintoff made only 22 in his final Test innings - but England were ploughed further into positive territory by debutant Jonathan Trott.

Lancashire all-rounder Flintoff, 31, received a standing ovation from a capacity Oval crowd at both ends of his 18-ball cameo but there was also warm appreciation for Warwickshire's Trott, who further enhanced England's push towards Ashes glory.

Trott was unbeaten on 83 at tea in an England score of 290 for seven - an overall advantage of 462 runs.

Number seven Flintoff was given a firm handshake from Australia captain Ricky Ponting before he faced his first ball.

A breezy stand of 32 followed, which ended immediately after the 200 came up when Flintoff failed to clear long-on as he tried to hoist part-time off-spinner Marcus North out of the ground.

Flintoff had arrived at the crease after Matt Prior sacrificed himself, taking on Simon Katich at cover to disastrous effect.

And Stuart Broad also departed in the afternoon session when he miscued an ambitious stroke over the top off North.

He was targeted by the England batsmen, highlighted by the treatment meted out by Graeme Swann, whose unbeaten 34 included 12 runs from the final over before tea.

North, who bowled the entire period from the Vauxhall end, had a monopoly on the bowling successes, however, having begun with the dismissal of England captain Andrew Strauss before lunch.

Captain Strauss led England's push with his second half-century of the match but fell for 75 just three balls before the interval on the third day.