Flintoff's century was his fifth in Test cricket and first against Australia

The all-rounder scored 102 as England amassed 477 on Friday and provided the momentum as the bowlers reduced the tourists to 99-5 at the close.

"We're in a great position, but we're not daft and know what they can do.

"Australia have fine players and can come back at you, so it's a case of us being disciplined," he said.

"At Old Trafford we thought we got the better of the Test match, but Australia got the draw and hung in there and played well to do that.

"In this Test match the balance is probably in our favour and the momentum is with us slightly, but we can't get ahead of it," he added.

The Lancashire star described his century as one of his finest innings.

There's a long way to go in this Test match and we have to keep playing well England hero Andrew Flintoff Feature: Perfect partners

Flintoff scored 102 and put on 177 with Geraint Jones in England's 477, with Australia struggling to 99-5 in reply.

"Yes, it is up there. It's probably the timing of it to be honest - we needed runs," he told BBC Sport.

"Geraint Jones came in and we struck up a nice partnership together - it was nice we managed to get past 400 and post a pretty formidable total."

Flintoff's partnership with Jones took the game away from Australia and both men played some fine shots, with Jones going on to make 85.

"Me and Jonesy played all right," said Flintoff. "We're quite aggressive players in what we do and it was nice.

"Everything seemed to click and we managed to put a few on."

England started the series with a heavy defeat at Lord's but have fought back brilliantly, much to Flintoff's delight.

"It's been good fun. After the disappointment at Lord's as a team we've picked ourselves up and we've played some good cricket.

England are doing to us what we've done to a number of teams for a number of years Aussie keeper Adam Gilchrist More Australia reaction

"It seems the nation is getting behind us as a team after the performances we've put in, so we've got to be proud of what we're doing."

England's bowling attack comfortably outshone their Australian counterparts on Friday and Flintoff was quick to praise his fellow bowlers.

"I think the attack we have covers all bases," he said.

"We saw Matthew Hoggard swinging the ball back into the left-handers, which is always dangerous.

"Simon Jones also has the ability to swing it and you've got the height of myself and Steven (Harmison).

"It was nice to see Hoggy in the wickets again and I thought Simon Jones bowled beautifully."

When we walked out this afternoon we had three wickets in mind, so to get five is an absolute bonus England keeper Geraint Jones

Geraint Jones admitted he was both relieved and pleased to have contributed with the bat.

"I've been under the cosh a bit lately and there was pressure to go out there and score some runs," he said.

"It's especially pleasing to do it in the situation I went into and when we needed a few runs.

"I always enjoy batting with Freddie - he was batting beautifully and it was great to be out there with him when he got his hundred."

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And Jones admitted that the final session, when England ripped out five members of Australia's top order, had been ever better than England had hoped for.