Flintoff stars in England romp

Andrew Flintoff starred with bat and ball as England won a rain-affected fourth one-day international against South Africa by seven wickets at Lord's.

England, set a revised target of 137 to win off 20 overs after rain disrupted South Africa's innings at 6-183 in 32.1 overs, made it with 14 balls to spare with Kevin Pietersen making 40 and Owais Shah 44 not out.

Flintoff came in and smashed a rapid 31 off 12 deliveries to add to his 3-21 with the ball.

Pietersen was out with 44 still needed but he and Shah had upped the tempo of England's run chase by hitting a Jacques Kallis over for 20.

The England captain eventually holed out in the deep after hitting five fours and a six before Flintoff came in and took the game away from South Africa and give England a 4-0 lead in the series.

Pietersen said: "The recalculation probably worked in our favour but we batted really well. But I asked the boys to do a job and they have done it today. Winning becomes a habit and when you start winning game after game after game you learn how to win.

"Andrew is playing some of the best cricket of his career.''

In the gathering gloom, Shah, who started off slowly, paced his innings to perfection to get England home while Flintoff, seemingly unaffected by the light, hit the South Africa bowling to all parts.

Pietersen added: "I know Owais would come good. He proved what a good player he is. He delivered today and played some fantastic shots.''

Kallis said: "The dressing room is down - we pride ourselves on our results. But there are some positives to take out today, we are learning from our mistakes and we have some young players learning about international cricket.

"Flintoff has been unbelievable. He has proved he is a good player and he adds balance to the England side. He is a world-class performer.''

Herschelle Gibbs, 34 and no longer in the Test side, showed he remains a force in one-day international cricket with his 36th one-day half century after South Africa were put into bat in gloomy conditions by Pietersen.

The opener was eyeing a 21st one-day century when he was bowled off his pads by Stuart Broad having faced 75 balls and hit five fours for his 74.

Gibbs and Hashim Amla put on 66 for the first wicket with Amla accelerating after the rain break when he tucked into Steve Harmison and took four fours of the quick bowler in one over.

At this stage, South Africa were going at more than six an over but Amla's innings was cut short when he was run out by Owais Shah. Pietersen's bowlers were not firing on all cylinders as they had at Trent Bridge when South Africa were bundled out for 83 and Harmison was taken out of the attack after conceding 35 runs in four overs but Flintoff was reliable as ever.

A 5-0 whitewash of South Africa - the final match is in Cardiff on Thursday (EST) - would take England to second in the ICC one-day world rankings behind Australia.