Samit Patel took five wickets and Andrew Flintoff hit 78 not out to inspire England to a 126-run win, and an unassailable 3-0 series lead, against South Africa at the Oval on Friday.

Flintoff’s 77-ball innings and 31 from Patel carried England to 296-7 from 50 overs and South Africa were never up with the rate as they were bowled out for 170 with Patel taking 5-41 to cap a memorable match.