The Ashes:Andrew Flintoff struck his highest Test score on home soil for four years to lead England's batting assault at Edgbaston.
All-rounder Flintoff hit 74, his best in this country since an Ashes hundred at Trent Bridge in 2005, as England opened up a 113-run lead in the third npower Test.
Recalled Warwickshire batsman Ian Bell and captain Andrew Strauss both fell for half-centuries on a rain-delayed day which was initially dominated by the bowlers.
But Flintoff's sense of adventure inspired a stirring fightback from a position of 168 for five shortly after lunch.
Wicketkeeper Matt Prior (41) and Stuart Broad (55) fed off the mood as England ploughed from 200 to 300 in just 90 deliveries.
Flintoff appeared set for only his sixth Test hundred when a big turning delivery from off-spinner Nathan Hauritz caught the glove and rebounded to slip.
Broad was last out in England's 376 when he drove straight back at fast bowler Peter Siddle, having rattled up his fourth Test fifty in just 62 balls.