England into Champs Trophy final
England eased into Champions Trophy final after finishing off South Africa in a semifinal at Oval.
LONDON (AP) - England eased into the Champions Trophy final after finishing off South Africa in a semifinal at The Oval on Wednesday that had all the tension of a practice at a local park.
Tasked with 176 for victory, England could afford to take its time before a subdued, near-capacity crowd to bag the runs in 37.3 overs with seven wickets to spare.
Jonathan Trott and Joe Root combined for 105 from 126 balls to steer England to the brink of the victory.
Trott, indispensable to England, hit the winning runs with his 11th boundary in 82 not out off 84 balls.
Title favorite India or Sri Lanka will join England in the final on Sunday at Birmingham, where the hosts will try to win their first major one-day international title.
South Africa were bowled out for 175 in 38.4 overs after being sent in to bat by England in the Champions Trophy semi-final at the Oval in London on Wednesday.
David Miller (56 not out) and Rory Kleinveldt (43) put on 99 for the ninth wicket. Stuart Broad and James Tredwell claimed three wickets each.
