Right from the moment England captain Alastair Cook won the toss, his team did no wrong.
The hosts humiliated South Africa as they handed them a crushing seven-wicket-defeat with 75 balls to spare in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy, in London, on Wednesday.
South Africa's batsmen failed big time as the Proteas managed just 175 runs before they were bowled out in 38.4 overs and England cruised to victory in 37.3 overs with Jonathan Trott leading the way with a sparkling knock of 82 from 84 balls.
England's victory was set up by the magnificent performance from their bowlers, who kept chipping away at the wickets and never let the visitors off the hook.
James Anderson showed why he is rated as the one of the best fast bowlers currently. He rocked South Africa early with the wicket of Colin Ingram in the first over of the match when he got the left-hander LBW for a duck and Steve Finn claimed the big wicket of Hashim Amla for one in the next over.
Robin Peterson threatened briefly as he made 30 from 41 balls before Anderson trapped him leg before wicket before Stuart Broad and James Tredwell claimed three wickets each to leave South Africa in tatters.
David Miller hit 56 from 51 balls and Rory Kleinveldt made 43 from 61 balls to save the blushes for South Africa but the lowly target never put England in any sort of pressure and they completed an easy victory to head into the all-important final with full of confidence.
Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
