England in final after SA falter yet again

David Miller top scored for South Africa with 56 not out as the Proteas lasted only 38.4 overs,Miller’s ninth-wicket stand of 95 with Rory Kleinveldt (43) the only highlight.

England,who face India or Sri Lanka in Sunday’s final,won the toss under overcast skies and soon had South Africa reeling at four for two after James Anderson and the returning Steven Finn removed Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla in their first overs. Robin Peterson,again promoted up the order,tried to steady the ship with 30 but was then trapped lbw by Anderson before captain AB de Villiers (duck) and JP Duminy (three) followed in quick succession.

Spinner James Tredwell,continuing in the absence of the injured Graeme Swann,took his second wicket when Faf du Plessis (26) edged behind a cut shot with the ball barely spinning.

Slip Trott expertly ran out Ryan McLaren for one after the batsman had advanced down the track to man of the match Tredwell,who took three for 19.

The tail wagged as Kleinveldt hit an ODI best but paceman Stuart Broad dismissed him and Lonwabo Tsotsobe in successive balls to finish off the innings and end up with three for 50. The batsmen mainly had themselves to blame with England bowling well but not spectacularly as the white ball again failed to move significantly.

STEADYING PRESENCE

South Africa,without injured fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel,snared England captain Alastair Cook for six and Ian Bell for 20 as they rotated bowlers almost every over early on. However,South Africa-born Trott settled well in his inimitably slow style,sparking a Mexican wave in the crowd.

His cautious batting was criticised in the group-stage loss to Sri Lanka as an anathema in the modern explosive one-day game but his steadying presence was key to England’s pursuit after a rocky start. Joe Root (48) was equally as watchful as the sun threatened to break through and rumoured rain failed to materialise.