England captain Andrew Strauss praised the stirring response his side produced to take a 1-0 Ashes lead after they recorded an historic win at Lord's.

England channelled the momentum of the rearguard action in Cardiff last week into the second npower Test and completed their first win over Australia at the ground in 75 years.

Victory by 115 runs was sealed 20 minutes before lunch on the final day following an Andrew Flintoff-inspired morning.

With five wickets required to seal a 1-0 lead in the five-match campaign, Flintoff capped a splendid team display with a spell of 10-1-43-3. Off-spinner Graeme Swann claimed the other two wickets to fall, to snuff out Australia's lingering hopes of setting a new world-record Test chase of 522.

"It was pretty much the ideal response," said Strauss.

"It was important we came out and started the game well. We'd been given that little bit of momentum from the way the guys played that final day in Cardiff and we needed to build on that.

"We came out well and put the Aussies under pressure for the first three-and-a-half days, but as is always a case in an Ashes Test they come back at you at some stage.

"To go 1-0 up in the series is all you can ask for and if we can continue playing that brand of consistent, positive cricket then we'll put them under pressure again and then it's just a case of us taking our chances."

Flintoff has also eased concerns about his prospects of completing the Ashes series after delivering a match-winning display.

The 31-year-old Lancashire all-rounder announced his intention to retire at the end of this series before the start of the second Test following persistent right knee problems, only for speculation to intensify that he may be playing his last Test after suffering renewed discomfort.

But after delivering a ferocious, unbroken 10-over spell to finish with 5-92, Flintoff insisted he was still determined to finish this summer on a high by helping England regain the Ashes.

"You hear what's been said and it's never been my intention to bow out at Lord's," stressed Flintoff.

"I want to be in an Ashes-winning team come the last Test match at the Oval.

"To be on that podium at the last Test will be the perfect way for me to go."

Despite feeling discomfort during the last five days he is determined to finish the series.

"I've three Tests to go and I will do anything to get out onto that field and finish this series," he said.

"The encouraging thing from my point of view is that I've bowled all my overs.

"I may have had a bit of discomfort, but I've played most of my career in discomfort so that's nothing new. I know where I am with it."

Flintoff will now return to Manchester and work with long-term confidant and physio Dave Roberts on more rehabilitation before reporting for duty with England for the third Test at Edgbaston next week.

Before they head to Edgbaston, England will also need to check on the fitness Kevin Pietersen with his Achilles problem.

Fast bowler Graham Onions also finished the Test with an elbow niggle.

"As I've said before, we've got to take stock," said Strauss. "We've got a week off so the guys can rest their bodies."