Andrew Flintoff Praying for Clouds But Not Rain in Another Edgbaston Nail-biter

Andrew Flintoff last night called for one final push as England sought an improbable 2-0 Ashes lead after Australia finished the fourth day of the third Test precariously placed on 88 for two, still 25 runs behind. With 98 overs remaining and the forecast set fair, England – who were helped to 376 by Flintoff's raucous 79-ball 74 – could yet force the result that would leave them needing to draw one of the remaining two Tests to reclaim the urn.

"We have got something to bowl at," said Flintoff. "We'd have liked a few more wickets, but we're in the game. It's going to be tough for Australia. A good start tomorrow morning and it's a match we can definitely win. The first session is going to be massive for both teams, although some overcast conditions would be nice."

Flintoff played down concerns his troublesome right knee could rule him out of Friday's fourth Test at Headingley after hobbling during his two-hour stay at the crease and bowling only four overs in Australia's second innings. "A few times there was a bit of a twinge in the knee but nothing too bad," he said. "I'll rest up between Tests, get some ice on it and take it from there. It'll take a lot for me to miss a Test."

Speaking after he had passed fifty in Tests for only the second time in more than two and a half years, Flintoff said: "I've been desperate to try and score some runs. I'd have liked to have gone on to get a few more but I struck up a nice partnership with Matthew Prior, and Stuart Broad was magnificent, carrying on and giving us momentum to go into the bowling."

Tempers flared towards the end of England's first innings when Mitchell Johnson became involved in several exchanges with Broad, who hit 55 off 64 balls, and Graeme Swann. But Flintoff denied a line had been crossed. "With the crowd and the atmosphere a few people's beans were going, but I don't think anything spilled over," he said. "It's the best atmosphere we play in and hopefully the crowd can help us again. The two sides are very competitive and I think that's come across."

Australia have been encouraged by the news that their veteran attack leader Brett Lee will be fit for the Leeds Test after he bowled at 80-85% yesterday and plans to bowl at full steam today for the first time since he injured his rib in the tour match against the England Lions at Worcester a month ago. "The most important thing is there was no pain," he said. "It's killed me to watch the first three Tests so it's just about making sure I'm ready for Headingley."