Hobart, January 16:

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff lifted a jittery England to a three-wicket win over New Zealand in the triangular series here on Tuesday.

England worked hard to beat New Zealand’s modest total of 205. Flintoff hit 72 not out off 75 balls but there were anxious moments for England who reached the required 206 runs with one ball to spare.

When Ian Bell fell (45), England was 138-5 and the game was in the balance. But Flintoff and Paul Nixon (15) put on 60 to guide their side to within eight runs to win.

Earlier, James Anderson took four wickets to give England an excellent chance of breaking their two-month drought. Anderson claimed the wickets of McCullum (16), New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming (12) and R Taylor (1) as New Zealand never recovered. Nathan Astle top scored with 45 runs.

Anderson finished with 42-4, bowling Mark Gillespie with the final ball of the innings. His early good work was ably backed up by Paul Collingwood (25-2), Monty Panesar (36-1) and Flintoff (37-2).