By Jonathan Agnew BBC cricket correspondent

Flintoff batted ferociously and took the attack to South Africa

For a match that meant nothing as far as the series is concerned, this was terrific entertainment - and it was clear that there was no quarter given by any of the players.

Michael Vaughan came charging back into form, and the match was another triumph for Andrew Flintoff who, day by day, is maturing into an all-rounder of real quality and stature.

He caught magnificently - one diving, reflex effort to his right was Bothamesque in its brilliance - his bowling was effective and his innings of 54 was breathtaking.

It is all a matter of confidence and maturity, neither of which he appeared to have in abundance until this summer.

Proof of his brimming self-belief is the manner in which he is thumping the ball all around the park, while the self control he demonstrated when being deliberately wound up by Andre Nel was also thoroughly encouraging.

James Anderson is another who is coming on in leaps and bounds.

His first two overs disappeared for 24 runs, and he was promptly taken off.

However, rather than being cowed by this nightmare start, he returned to take three genuine wickets in two overs.

Anderson is a shy, quiet chap, and it might be that this helps him conquer nerves.

Certainly, he has never suggested that he is the least bit flustered by any of the many difficult situations he has faced since being propelled into the England team in Australia last winter.

An emphatic victory will put England in excellent heart for the final

South Africa got away to a flier, thanks to Graeme Smith's 45, but they subsided to 107-7 and England really should have finished them off.

However, through Martin van Jaarsveld and Paul Adams, 71 were added for the eighth wicket that enabled South Africa to set England 199 to win under the lights.

Vikram Solanki again gifted his wicket with a cross-batted stroke for two.

His century at The Oval was one of the highlights of the summer, but he simply cannot expect to bat like a millionaire every day.

Marcus Trescothick followed him for eight, and when Anthony McGrath - who really should not be batting at number four for England - was clean bowled for 11, England were 30-3, with a highly suspect batting line-up to follow.

Enter Flintoff and immediately the ball was disappearing all over the ground.

He drove and pulled ferociously and, as he took the attack to the South Africans, Vaughan began to find his touch.

The pair put on exactly 100, and broke the back of England's task, before Flintoff was caught on the long-leg boundary.

This gave Vaughan the chance to play the glorious cover drives that were the trademark of his astonishing achievements last year.

Rikki Clarke also played some meaty shots in making his highest international score.

This emphatic victory will put England in excellent heart for Saturday's final.