All-rounder Flintoff made 102, his first Test century against Australia and together with wicketkeeper Geraint Jones (85) put on 177 for the sixth wicket -- the best partnership by either side in the series so far -- as England, bidding to go 2-1 up and win their first Ashes campaign in 18 years, totalled 477 in their first innings.

Then paceman Matthew Hoggard's haul of three for 32 helped reduce Australia, who lost three wickets in as many overs, to 99 for five at stumps, a deficit of 378 and still needing a further 179 to avoid the follow-on.

"The one great thing about this side is that different people are putting their hands up when needed, whether it's me and Jones with the bat or Hoggard with the ball," the 27-year-old Flintoff told reporters after stumps.

"We're in a great position. They are 99 for five and we've got runs on the board. At Old Trafford (in the third Test where Australia clung on for a draw with one wicket standing) we came desperately close to winning the Test match and we're in a great position here.

"But we can't get ahead of ourselves," the Lancashire ace warned.

Meanwhile Australia vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, due to bat next after Michael Clarke was lbw to fast bowler Stephen Harmison for 36 off the final ball of Friday's play, admitted the world's number one ranked team, who last lost a series four years ago in India, were facing a stern test of their champion credentials.

"They (England) are doing to us what we've been doing to other teams.

"Mentally it's a different area for us to be in and that's pretty taxing.

"It's the collective challenge and we are under pressure," said the wicketkeeper, who is set to join fellow left-hander Simon Katich (20 not out) at the crease.

"It's a challenge for us to be in this situation and we haven't come out of it very well so far but we're hanging on in there."

And with Australia needing only to win once in two games, with the fifth and final Test starting at The Oval on September 8, to retain the Ashes that they've held since 1989, Gilchrist was adamant the team could dig themselves out of trouble.

"We believe we can get it right at some stage between now and the end of the series and do enough."