You are not supposed to be able to tinker with fate. But Andrew Flintoff is doing his best.

This morning he bowled England to victory in the Lord's Test. A couple of times Andrew Strauss tried to take him off without much conviction. But Flintoff would not allow it. In a spell reminiscent of The Oval in 2005 Flintoff pounded in until the job was done. In the process he took five wickets in an innings for only the fourth time in his career.

There were nerves jangling around Lord's when play resumed with Australia 209 runs away from victory and England five wickets. Those home nerves eased considerably after the fourth ball of Flintoff's first over. Brad Haddin jabbed outside the off-stump and Paul Collingwood took the catch at second slip.

This wicket provided crucial early respite but no certainty. Haddin's replacement Mitchell Johnson can bat all right – after a torrid start against Flintoff he proved the point. With Clarke remaining restrained but composed the Australians had reached 356 by noon and the innings was gaining momentum again. Strauss turned to Graeme Swann.

Swann's first ball was a full toss. But Clarke could not miss the fielder at extra cover. His second delivery looked like a full toss and Clarke missed the ball. Perhaps it drifted away; perhaps Clarke was being greedy. He was bowled and now England really were in charge.

Johnson swung defiantly, but Flintoff still pounded in from the Pavilion, whether Strauss liked it or not (he probably did), and shattered the stumps of Nathan Hauritz and Peter Siddle. A few more swings from Johnson and it was all over. Attempting to smash a quicker delivery from Swann into the Mound Stand, Johnson swung and missed, and the celebrations could begin.

Thus England won by 115 runs, a massive margin by the standards of recent Ashes Tests in this country, though there were times when it seemed closer than that. Edgbaston cannot come along quick enough for England except for their supermen, Flintoff – and Kevin Pietersen – who need to time to attend to their bodies.