Freddie gives England win

Published on Tuesday 16 January 2007 11:53

ENGLAND completed their first win on the tour of Australia today thanks to Andrew Flintoff's unbeaten half-century.

All-rounder Flintoff, who oversaw the Ashes drubbing by Australia, continued his good form since returning to the ranks with 72 not out as England squeezed home by three wickets over New Zealand in Hobart as part of the one day series with Australia.

Set 206 on a sluggish surface at Bellerive Oval, England laboured to the target and will have concerns over Michael Vaughan's fitness after he tweaked a hamstring in the field. Flintoff fittingly sealed the first victory for England since beating West Indies in the ICC Champions Trophy when he hit the penultimate delivery of the match down the ground for a single.