England Cruise Into Champions Trophy Final

England produced a stellar display to reach the Champions Trophy final following a seven-wicket win over South Africa at The Oval.

After The Proteas had been dismissed for a measly 175 inside 39 overs, Jonathan Trott struck an unbeaten 82 from 84 balls to see England through to their second Champions Trophy final as they go in search of their first piece of 50-over global tournament silverware.

A South Africa team without bowler Dale Steyn struggled from the outset after losing the toss and being put in to bat, collapsing to 80 for 8 by virtue of James Anderson's 2 for 14 and James Tredwell, who deputised for Graeme Swann, taking 3 for 19.

David Miller (56 not out) and Rory Kleinveldt (43) put on a record South African partnership for the ninth wicket of 95 but the lacklustre total allowed England to cruise to victory without alarm, despite losing captain Alastair Cook for just 6.

Ian Bell (20) then edged behind off Kleinveldt to leave the hosts 41 for 2 but an 105-run stand between Trott and Joe Root (48) saw England all but home, before a cameo from Eoin Morgan, who scored 15 from 21 balls, delivered victory with over 12 overs remaining.

Looking to avenge their defeat in the Champions Trophy final on home soil in 2004, England will face either Sri Lanka, who defeated them in the group phase, or unbeaten World Cup holders India.

"It was a good toss to win but you've still got to excuse those skills," skipper Cook said. "A lot more humid today and it hadn't swung conventionally yet and when it does Jimmy Anderson is the best around.

"To win a final and to win a tournament you need everyone to contribute. I thought Trott's knock was a great knock. It's not easy and I was quiet nervous watching.

"It's been a good tournament for us, we played very well today. We don't mind who we play [in the final]. We're happy to have the opportunity."

South Africa captain AB de Villiers said: "You've got to give credit to the England bowlers, we just didn't play well and we didn't play well from the outset.

We had a chance at the end but it was just not good enough at the top order. It was the hardest team selection I've had to make. It's easy to look back now and say we could have played another guy.

"A lot of other sides would have been bowled out for 100. Given the circumstances I though the bowlers tried everything possible and unfortunate we couldn't get that breakthrough.

"There are no excuses, I think we had the talent to win this tournament. We had so much support from back home. I thought we had the talent to do we just didn't play well enough."