England wrapped up victory in the NatWest Series with a 126-run defeat of South Africa at The Oval on Friday.

Kevin Pietersen's team began the five-match series a lowly sixth in the one-day international rankings, against second-placed opponents who could have gone top of the world above Australia with a 4-1 success or better.

But after half-centuries from Andrew Flintoff (78no) and Ian Bell (73) had carried them to 296 for seven - a total they defended with ease - it is England who are 3-0 up and eying a whitewash to go above South Africa into a best ever second.

Put in under persistently cloudy skies on a fast and true pitch, England were indebted to Bell and Matt Prior for a century opening stand in just a shade more than 15 overs.

With Bell gone after his 36-ball 50, momentum was lost - but Flintoff came up with his second successive one day half-century, hitting nine fours and a six from 77 deliveries.

The tourists never threatened to launch a plausible reply, and Samit Patel (five for 41) - who had shared an important 74-run sixth-wicket stand with Flintoff in his maiden ODI innings - took the bowling honours in a hapless 170 all out, with more than seven overs unused.