South Africa elected to bat at Edgbaston and made 198 for nine in their 50 overs. James Anderson took four wickets.

England were in trouble on 30 for three until Michael Vaughan and Andy Flintoff put on 100, with Vaughan hitting 83 - his highest one-day score - and man-of-the-match Flintoff blasting 54 off 40 balls.

South Africa elected to bat and James Anderson had recovered from an early battering by South African skipper Graeme Smith with a four-wicket blast.

Anderson was taken out of the attack after his first two overs had cost 24 runs - including four boundaries in the space of five balls from Smith. But the Lancashire paceman's response was a superb second spell of 6-2-8-3 and he finished with four for 38 from his 10 overs.

South Africa looked to have established a useful platform after reaching 65 for one in the 12th over with Smith racing to 45 off only 39 balls with eight fours.

But the innings declined after Flintoff accounted for Smith. Flintoff then pulled off a superb catch away to his right at second slip after Kallis (15) had edged a delivery from Richard Johnson and South Africa tumbled to 104 for seven.

But van Jaarsveld and Paul Adams batted sensibly and their partnership was worth 71 from 100 balls. Van Jaarsveld struck four fours in his 69-ball 45 and Adams finished on an unbeaten 33 - his highest score in one-day internationals.

South Africa had needed to take early wickets and within five overs both England openers were back in the pavilion.

But Flintoff made his attacking intentions clear from the start when he drove Kallis through the covers for four. He then pulled Kallis for an imperious six and Vaughan cut Nel to the ropes as England reached 118 for three at the halfway stage.

The 100 partnership came up off 104 balls before Flintoff eventually perished for 54 when he hooked at Ntini.

By then England were on course for victory and, in addition to Vaughan's return to form there was the added bonus of Rikki Clarke compiling an assured 37 before falling with the scores level.

South Africa also lost two players with van Jaarsveld being taken to hospital after being hit in the box during his innings while substitute fielder Nicky Boje was also taken away in an ambulance after suffering a suspected broken left ankle.

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