Cricket:Jonathan Trott's sterling hundred on debut overshadowed Andrew Flintoff's final Test innings as England moved into position to reclaim the Ashes at the Oval.
While Flintoff could make only 22 in his last attempt at this level before retirement, Trott (119) became the first England player since Graham Thorpe 16 years ago to reach three figures in his first Ashes Test.
The consequence, after Andrew Strauss had made a crucial 75 at the top of the order — sharing a century stand with Trott — and Graeme Swann had piled in with a swashbuckling 63, was a second-innings 373 for nine declared on day three.
Trott’s tour de force spanned more than five-and-a-half hours, containing 12 fours from 193 balls faced.
Part-time off-spinner Marcus North took four wickets for 98 runs on a pitch which has attracted much comment since yesterday’s clatter of Australian wickets.
But the tourists, for whom a draw would do to retain the Ashes, still found themselves starting their second innings needing to smash the world record successful run chase if they were to make a highly improbable 546 to win.
At stumps, a sound start by openers Simon Katich and Shane Watson had taken them to 80 without loss.