Ponting and Watson inspire semi-final victory

Centuries from Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson inspired Australia to a comfortable nine-wicket win against England in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy.

After winning the toss, England recovered from 101-6 to post a respectable total of 257 all out, with a brilliant innings by Tim Bresnan (80), who received excellent support from Luke Wright (48) as they put on a seventh-wicket stand of 107.

In reply, although Tim Paine fell early, Shane Watson (136 not out) and Ricky Ponting (111 not out) added the highest ODI partnership in Australia's history to coast to an excellent win.

Ponting also became the first Australia player and only the third batter overall to reach 12,000 ODI runs.

Australia will play the winner of tomorrow's semi-final between New Zealand and Pakistan in Monday's final.