Cricket: Andrew Flintoff's sheer drive and determination sparked an England fightback in the third Test after he won a compelling duel with Jacques Kallis at Edgbaston.
The 30-year-old Lancashire all-rounder became the catalyst for an intense finale to the second day, which interrupted South Africa's previously serene progress towards a major first-innings lead.
South Africa had waited for the rain to cease for an hour after tea on a comfortable 205 for four with Kallis and Ashwell Prince both well set at the crease, needing just 26 to achieve parity with England.
But by the time bad light ended an inspired spell of 6-2-15-2 from Flintoff, who finished with four for 68, South Africa's hopes of securing a series triumph were less assured after they had slipped to 256 for six with a lead of just 25.
Flintoff's reputation has been built on his eagerness to take on the world's best players almost in direct combat, a desire which was crucial to England's 2005 Ashes series victory.
This time Kallis, South Africa's leading batsman, was in Flintoff's sights and the 26 minutes of play after tea until his stump was sent flying out of the ground was every bit as compelling and intense as the infamous duel between Allan Donald and Michael Atherton at Trent Bridge in 1998.
The stunning performance was sparked by umpire Aleem Dar, who denied a strong appeal for lbw with Kallis on 55 when an attempted yorker hit him on the boot right in front of the stumps.
Dar's decision incensed Flintoff and prompted him to tear in with an even greater intensity for the five remaining balls of that over, which finally sparked the Edgbaston crowd into life after a day and a half of relative inactivity.
Suddenly they were roaring England - and Flintoff in particular - on, as he continued complaining to Dar during the next over from James Anderson when they both stood at square-leg.
Former England coach David Lloyd, who signed Flintoff for Lancashire as a schoolboy, admitted while commentating for Sky Sports: "In all my time of knowing Andrew Flintoff, I have never ever seen him like this!"
The finale to the stunning duel was not long in coming, however, and just four balls into his next over Flintoff's pace and hostility unsettled Kallis enough to send his off stump spinning out of the turf and nearly everyone in the ground to their feet in appreciation of the spell they were witnessing.
He took another two overs to strike again with AB de Villiers clearly believing attack was the best form of defence. He attempted to hook a short delivery but only succeeded in spooning the ball high in the air to long-leg, where Ryan Sidebottom steadied himself and held the catch.
By now the South Africa batsmen were complaining to umpires Dar and Steve Davis about the sightscreen at the Pavilion End, which was not high enough to cover Flintoff's height and bowling action and made picking up the ball difficult.
Their complaints were dismissed for four overs until bad light closed in and ended a compelling passage of play which may have given England a chance of fighting back into the Test following their dismal first-day display.
South Africa had resumed a second day restricted to only 65 overs by bad light and rain 193 runs adrift on 38 for one, and successfully frustrated England's attempt at an early breakthrough for 17 overs.
England's frustration was all the more acute for their failure to remove nightwatchman Paul Harris, who entered this match with a Test average of just 8.11 but defied the hosts for 89 minutes.
The only opportunity created during a patchy opening session by England was when Flintoff induced opener Neil McKenzie into edging low to Andrew Strauss at first slip, who initially claimed the catch before admitting his uncertainty to the umpires before the batsman walked off.
After referral to TV umpire Ian Gould, replays were once again inconclusive and McKenzie survived to forge a determined 77-run stand with Harris which was only ended when South Africa's nightwatchman edged Sidebottom to second slip three overs before lunch.
Flintoff's humour was further tested shortly after the interval when McKenzie, who had now progressed to 57, was dropped by Paul Collingwood at second slip but it was a short-lived reprieve.
Anderson dismissed Hashim Amla with a smart one-handed return catch after an inside edge had ballooned off his pad, but the prized scalp of McKenzie was taken by Flintoff with a plumb lbw appeal as the opener attempted to work through midwicket to add to his 72.
Just as England appeared to be making inroads, Kallis and Prince combined in an 89-run stand which appeared to be guiding South Africa to their first series win in England since re-admission to international cricket in 1991.
But that shake of the head by umpire Dar in the fourth over of the final session sparked Flintoff into an inspired display which may yet produce a fightback dramatic enough to salvage a result for England.