LONDON (AP):

England took a 4-0 series lead yesterday with a seven-wicket victory over South Africa in the rain-affected fourth one-day international at Lord's.

Set a revised total of 137 in 20 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system, England made 137-3 in 17.4 overs, with Owais Shah unbeaten on 44 and Andrew Flintoff scoring 31 not out from only 12 balls.

South Africa made 183-6 in 32.1 overs after rain delayed the start of play by 2-1/2 hours, with Herschelle Gibbs top-scoring with 74. All-rounder Flintoff was the best English bowler with 3-21 from seven overs.

By winning the fifth one-dayer in Cardiff on Wednesday, England can sweep the series and replace South Africa as the second-best team in the ICC one-day world rankings.

England struggled in their run chase at first, reduced to 19-2 after losing Matt Prior (0) and Ian Bell (13). Recovering to 52-2 from 10 overs, England captain Kevin Pietersen smashed three consecutive fours off Jacques Kallis and Shah ended the 11th over with a six over mid-wicket to take the score to 73.

Pietersen was out for 40 after hitting Johan Botha for six but had done enough to put England in command, with Flintoff taking control.

"The lads gave me a good platform," Flintoff said after his innings of five fours and a six. "It gave me a licence to go out there and have a go."

South Africa, having being put in to bat by England on a green pitch in overcast conditions, began quickly.

Rain halted play

Gibbs plundered 19 runs from eight deliveries from James Anderson before rain halted play. On the return, Hashim Amla was even more severe on Steve Harmison, who replaced Anderson at the pavilion end. Amla struck four fours in a single over as he raced to 34 from 31 balls.

Pietersen turned to Flintoff to reduce the run rate and the allrounder immediately had an effect. Off his first ball, Amla failed to respond to Gibbs' call for a single and was needlessly run out with the tourists on 66.