Australian captain Ricky Ponting (111* runs of 115 balls) and Shane Watson (136* runs of 132 balls) put on an unbeaten record stand for the xecond wicket of 252 runs to crusie to a comfortable win of 9 wickets against England at Super Sports Park, Centurion.
Both duos helped their team to achieve the target of 258 runs to win with ease. Australia reached the target with 8.1 overs to spare and nine wickets left in the bag. They storm into the ICC Champions Trophy 2009 Final. If they able to win the Champions Trophy 2009 then they will become first team to win the title on trot.
Australian captain in the route to his 29th ODI Century also became first Australian to reach 12,000 ODI runs. Ponting and Watson, who outscored his skipper with his third ODI hundred, put on an amazing batting display to outwit their rivals yet again.
With this win Australia achieved their seventh win against England in last eight ODI’s they have played. Now Australia will play the Final of Champions Trophy at same venue with the winner of 2nd Semi Final (Pakistan or New Zealand).
Earlier Andrew Strauss won the toss and has no hesitation in electing to bat first on a flat track at SuperSportsPark, Centurion. However their batsman tried to play too many shots and given their wickets away at one stage they were struggling at 101/6 in the 21st over. But thanks to T.Bresnan (80 runs of 76 balls) and Luke Wright (48 runs of 46 balls) partnership of 107 runs of 118 balls which bring England inning on track.
When all started to look good for England they once again failed to utilize their batting powerplay as they bowled out for 257 runs with 14 legal deliveries still left in their inning.
S.Watson was declared Player of the Match for his blistering century with bat and crucuial two wickets with the ball.
