London, July 20: England fast bowler Andrew Flintoff said there was no way captain Andrew Strauss was going to get the ball off him after he led England to a 115-run second Test victory over Australia here at Lord’s.

Man-of-the-match Flintoff took 5/92 in 27 overs, including three in an unbroken 10-over spell Monday for 43 runs as Australia, set a world record 522 to win, were bowled out for 406.

Before this match the 31-year-old Flintoff, whose career has been blighted by injuries, announced he would retire from Test cricket at the end of this Ashes series.

But he began the process of bowing out in style, with only his third five-wicket haul in a 77-match Test career and the first at Lord’s.

"It’s been a good Test match and a real team performance, there were some very special performances in this Test," the all-rounder told Sky Sports. "It’s nice to get five wickets this morning and take the plaudits but it has been a real team effort."

Flintoff sent England on their way on Monday when, with only his fourth ball, he had Brad Haddin (80) taken in the slips by Paul Collingwood. And once that happened there was no way Strauss was going to stop him before the job was done.

"There was no chance!" he said. "He would have been on a losing battle there."

Off-spinner Graeme Swann provided excellent support to Flintoff with a return for 4/87, including the key wicket on Monday of Australia vice-captain Michael Clarke whose 136 threaten to spoil England’s party.

"It’s unbelievable," said Swann. "Everybody was a little bit nervous and apprehensive this morning. Fred (Flintoff) getting that wicket (of Haddin) calmed everyone down." — AFP