England, set a target of 231, finished on 231 for three with Key 93 not out, off 178 balls with nine fours and local hero Flintoff 57 not out.

Victory, with more than 27 overs left, saw England take a 3-0 lead in the four Test series and was their sixth Test win in a row -- their best run since 1958.

It was also their ninth win in 10 unbeaten Tests this year and especially impressive after Friday's second day was washed out without a ball bowled.

And it meant England kept alive their hopes of a 'magnificent seven' winning home season, after a 3-0 Test whitewash of New Zealand, with just the fourth Test, at The Oval starting Thursday, left.

Their successful chase saw them surpass the previous winning fourth innings Test total at Old Trafford, 145 for seven, set by South Africa in 1955.

Key was given a life on 57 when second slip Sylvester Joseph failed to cling on to a low diving catch off Corey Collymore with England 152 for three.