Cricket: Flintoff strikes as Australia collapse

SYDNEY - Australia lost their last four wickets for just 14 runs to be all out for 345 before lunch on the second day of the ICC super test against the Rest of the World today.

England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff continued where he left off in the Ashes by capturing three quick wickets to finish with figures of 4-59 as the Australian lower order collapsed after resuming on 331-6.

Flintoff made the crucial breakthrough on the second ball of the day when he trapped Australian vice-captain Adam Gilchrist lbw for 94 then added the scalps of Shane Warne and Brett Lee in his second and third overs.

Warne was caught by South African Jacques Kallis at second slip for a duck then Lee fell to World XI captain Graeme Smith at first slip for just one.

Australia's misery was completed in the fifth over of the morning when am ambling Glenn McGrath was run out for a duck after a direct hit from new Indian skipper Rahul Dravid.

Flintoff's English team mate Steve Harmison, who bowled Justin Langer on the third ball of the match on Friday, failed to add to his wicket tally after a wayward start to the day, which included three wides in his first over.

But the World XI also lost quick wickets and were 50 for three by 3.25pm NZT.

- REUTERS