MANCHESTER, England, 17 August 2004 — Robert Key and Andrew Flintoff guided England to a seven-wicket win against West Indies on the fifth and final day of the third Test at Old Trafford here yesterday.
England, set a target of 231, finished on 231 for three with Key 93 not out, off 178 balls with nine fours and local hero Flintoff 57 not out.
Victory, with more than 27 overs left, saw England take a 3-0 lead in the four Test series and was their sixth Test win in a row — their best run since 1958.
It was also their ninth win in 10 unbeaten Tests this year and especially impressive after Friday’s second day was washed out without a ball bowled.
And it meant England kept alive their hopes of a ‘magnificent seven’ winning home season, after a 3-0 Test whitewash of New Zealand, with just the fourth Test, at The Oval starting Thursday, left.
Their successful chase saw them surpass the previous winning fourth innings Test total at Old Trafford, 145 for seven, set by South Africa in 1955.
At tea, England were 146 for three, needing a further 85 runs in 44 overs — a run-rate of under two an over.
Key was 51 not out and Flintoff 22 not out.
But afterward Key was given a life on 57 when second slip Sylvester Joseph failed to cling on to a low diving catch off Corey Collymore with England 152 for three.
Flintoff went to an 81-ball fifty, featuring five fours, with a towering straight six off leg-spinner Ramnaresh Sarwan, before striking him over the ropes again.
Earlier, England inched their way to 56 for two at lunch and almost as soon as the players came off it rained. But the weather relented and only eight overs were lost.
Key was 19 not out and England captain Michael Vaughan unbeaten on six.
Both batsmen kept the scoreboard ticking over but Vaughan had a lucky break when an inside-edged cut off Collymore missed the stumps and went for four.
However, the introduction of Chris Gayle broke the stand, the off-spinner striking with his first ball when Vaughan, opening the face, steered him to West Indies captain Brian Lara at first slip.
Vaughan put on 84 in 188 balls with Key, England losing their third wicket on their traditionally unlucky number of 111 in the 40th over. Lancashire all-rounder Flintoff entered to a hero’s welcome on his home ground. He was hit on the shoulder by a Fidel Edwards bouncer but two balls later pulled the fast bowler for four.
After West Indies resumed on 161 for nine, England needed just 12 balls to bowl them all out for a second innings 165 with fast bowler Stephen Harmison (four for 44) having last man Edwards (nought) caught in the slips by Flintoff.
But West Indies then dismissed both England openers for 12 apiece as the hosts slumped to 27 for two in nine overs.
