England met South Africa at The Oval on Wednesday with a place in the final of the Champions Trophy on offer for the winner.
South Africa were put into bat first in the morning and the Proteas struggled against an impressive England bowling attack, with the scorecard reading 80-8 at one stage.
An impressive 10th-wicket partnership between David Miller (56*) and Rory Kleinveldt (43) frustrated the hosts and helped South Africa limp to 175 all out.
Despite losing two wickets early in their reply, England looked in complete control as Jonathan Trott struck an unbeaten 82 to book his side's spot in the final.
Read below to find out how England recorded a seven-wicket victory over the Proteas.
Good morning. It's the morning of the first semi-final in the ICC Champions Trophy. Hosts England meet South Africa and we already have some big news for you.
BREAKING NEWS: As you may have seen above, Dale Steyn has been ruled out of today's match due to a groin injury. The pace bowler had been put through a late fitness test but the Proteas have confirmed that he won't be risked.
ENGLAND WIN THE TOSS AND CHOOSE TO BOWL: No surprise in hearing that England will bowl first. Alastair Cook confirms that James Tredwell keeps his place in the side as Graeme Swann continues to sutrggle with a back injury. Tim Bresnan also misses out as he awaits the birth of his and his partner's baby. Steyn is replaced by Rory Kleinveldt for South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICA: Ingram, Amla, du Plessis, de Villiers, Duminy, Miller, McLaren, Peterson, Morris, Kleinveldt, Tsotsobe
ENGLAND: Cook, Bell, Trott, Root, Morgan, Buttler, Bopara, Broad, Tredwell, Finn, Anderson
I was lucky enough to speak to England legend Sir Ian Botham yesterday at The Oval and he believes that the winner of the tournament will come from this semi-final. There will be more from my interview with Botham on the site later today.
England were impressive in the shortened game against New Zealand on the weekend and seemed to learn their lesson from the poor bowling performance against Sri Lanka. It's important to bowl well early on against South Africa because Hashim Amla will punish any attack if he is given too much freedom.
It may be an Ashes summer but England have made no secret of their aim to win a 50-over tournament. It has never been done by an England side but this tournament has provided the current group with a perfect opportunity to break that duck.
South Africa will of course miss the irreplaceable Steyn but they will be tough opponents for Cook's England. AB de Villiers and Amla are two of the best players in the world and if they are supported by their fellow batsmen, England could be set a tough target.
Both sides are lining up out in the middle in preparation for the national anthems. It's very muggy in London today and the sun is yet to make an appearance.
The big test for South Africa will surely be how their top order plays against the two new balls. If the Proteas can start well, batting will become much easier at The Oval.
Amla and Ingram open the batting. It will be James Anderson who bowls the first over of the semi-final. We've got a brilliant match ahead of us. Here we go.
Ingram leaves the first ball and watches the next delivery go down the leg-side for a wide. Anderson does find some movement as the game progresses and encourages Ingram to play a wild drive outside off-stump.
WICKET! INGRAM (0) LBW B ANDERSON
Big moment for England. After pushing a couple across the batsman, Anderson brings one back and hits the pad. There's a huge appeal and the umpire agrees that it's out. Ingram has a quick chat with Amla but decides against reviewing the decision.
It's Robin Peterson who comes in at three, just like he did in the opening group game. Anderson delivers a second wide before seeing the next delivery blocked. Great start for England.
It's the returning Steven Finn who bowls the second over, rather than Stuart Broad. Amla pushes the first ball of the over through point for a single. Peterson gets off the mark by adding another run.
WICKET! AMLA (1) C BUTTLER B FINN
England's impressive start has just got even better! Amla is caught in two minds outside off-stump before deciding to leave too late and edging the ball through to Buttler. That's the key wicket and England are delighted. Faf du Plessis in next.
Finn greets du Plessis with a couple of short balls before leaving the new batsman with one that nips away. Good start for Finn to give the seamer some confidence.
Peterson can't get bat on a couple of deliveries that swing back and almost cut knock him over. We've not seen too much swing in this tournament but Anderson is causing a lot of problems with the movement he has found today. Peterson opens the face of his bat to guide a single to third-man and that's the only run in the over.
Finn is too straight at the start of a new over and Peterson is able to flick the ball to fine-leg, where Trott fields impressively to restrict the Proteas to two runs. A slightly fuller ball is driven through the covers and Anderson can't catch it before it reaches the rope. Finn responds well with a bit more swing back into Peterson. The left-handed batsman attempts the pull shot but his timing is poor and he makes no contact with the ball.
Du Plessis is more than happy to get off strike with a single at the start of Anderson's over. The bowler continues to worry Peterson with the delivery that swings back but the number three displays good timing to punch the ball through mid-wicket for three. Du Plessis then wisely decides against playing at one just outside off-stump.
Peterson stands tall to pull Finn's shorter ball through square-leg and to the rope for four runs. The bowler responds with a fuller delivery but the movement helps Peterson flick the ball through fine-leg for four. It's three boundaries in a row when Peterson drills the ball past mid-off for four more. A single from the final delivery makes it 13 from the over.
Anderson tests Peterson throughout the over and almost claims his second wicket when the batsman's inside edge just manages to evade the stumps. One single from the over. This partnership is very important for the Proteas.
Finn's expensive over has encouraged Cook to bring Broad into the attack for the first time. Peterson drills the ball into the air but Bell can't take what would have been an unbelievable catch at cover. Broad finds some good movement to confuse Peterson, who enjoys some more luck when a leading edge loops over Morgan at backward point. Du Plessis relieves some pressure by whipping a straighter ball through mid-wicket for four.
Peterson drives well but his shot is blocked at short cover. A single is taken midway through Anderson's over. Du Plessis shows good defence to block out the remainder of the over. Cook will be desperate for another wicket from one of his leading bowlers.
Peterson nudges the ball off the hip for a single early in Broad's over. The seamer is too short with his length and that allows du Plessis to steer the ball through cover for four runs. A wider delivery is guided behind point for two more to make it seven from the 10th over.
Anderson begins what will presumably be his final over of the spell by coming round the wicket. Peterson plays and misses twice in the first two balls.
WICKET! PETERSON (30) LBW B ANDERSON
Brilliant bowling from Anderson. The seamer swings one back into the batsman after delivering a number of out-swingers and hits the pad. Peterson is surprised when he's given out but decides against reviewing the decision. Good captaincy from Cook to stick with Anderson.
De Villiers is the new batsman and he's immediately greeted by some swing from Anderson. The skipper survives but he'll have to stay out there for a lot longer. Superb over from Anderson.
Du Plessis pushes the ball through a gap on the off-side to pick up three runs early in Broad's over. De Villiers isn't put under much pressure by the bowler, who is slightly too wide with his line. It's filling up nicely at The Oval.
Surprise move from Cook to give Anderson a seventh over. Du Plessis is lucky to see a ball just miss his stumps after spinning away off the toe of the bat. Just one single from the over and the Proteas will be hoping that's the last they see of Anderson for a while.
Du Plessis uses his feet well at the start of Broad's over to rush a single to mid-off.
WICKET! DE VILLIERS (0) C BUTTLER B BROAD
South Africa are in big trouble now. Their skipper departs when he sends a bottom edge through to Buttler, who takes another good low catch. The umpires want to check the no-ball but Broad's heel was behind the line. England in complete control at the moment.
Well, just how important could this moment be? Duminy is given out lbw first ball by the umpire. The left-handed batsman reviews the decision and Hawkeye shows the ball pitched just outside leg-stump. There's only about an inch in it but that's enough to save Duminy.
Anderson's spell comes to an end as Tredwell begins his first over. Du Plessis chips the first ball into the leg-side for a single. Big lbw appeal from England but the umpire isn't interested and Duminy survives again. Hawkeye shows that England should have reviewed the decision as the ball would have hit leg-stump. Disappointing moment for the spinner and England, just two runs from the over.
Duminy clips the ball off the pad for a single. Du Plessis walks across his stumps to open up the leg-side but he gets slightly lucky when the ball flicks off the pad and to the rope for four leg-byes. There's no luck about his next shot as the number four punches the ball straight down the ground for four more.
Duminy rocks back to cut the ball through the off-side for a single. Du Plessis drops to one knee to scoop the ball behind square on the leg-side for another run.
WICKET! DUMINY (3) B TREDWELL
The wickets continue to fall at The Oval as a disappointing innings from Duminy comes to an end. An attempted cut shot goes horribly wrong and Duminy is left disappointed when he chops the ball onto his stumps.
Swann, sitting on the sidelines at The Oval, shows his admiration of Tredwell with a round of applause. England in complete control at the moment but they'll want to take these five wickets quickly.
Du Plessis continues his fight against the bowling attack with two runs through mid-wicket. The same batsman drives the next ball straight but the returning Finn does well to field impressively off his own bowling. A second drive from du Plessis is stopped by Anderson at mid-off before a single brings the new batsman David Miller on strike. No mistake from Miller, three runs from Finn's over.
Du Plessis collects a single at the start of Tredwell's over. Miller gets off the mark with a whip through mid-wicket for three runs.
WICKET! DU PLESSIS (26) C BUTTLER B TREDWELL
Superb from Tredwell as he catches the outside edge with a quicker delivery. Buttler does very well to take the catch off such a big deflection. The spinner has his second wicket and it just gets worse for the Proteas.
Ryan McLaren is the new batsman and he bravely leaves a delivery that just misses off-stump. Tredwell continues to impress in this format with the ball.
Miller rocks back to cut Finn past point for a rare boundary at the start of the 20th over. Finn responds with a beauty that explodes off the pitch and beats the outside edge. Miller adds another single with a push through cover. McLaren is surprised by some extra bounce but the all-rounder manages to work the ball to point to get off the mark.
WICKET! McLAREN (1) RUN OUT (TROTT)
Brilliant work from Trott, who hits the stumps from slip when McLaren advances down the pitch and misses at the start of Tredwell's over. Poor shot but excellent fielding. Chris Morris in next.
Morris is certainly no amateur with the bat and he gets off the mark with a push to point for a single. Miller adds another through cover and he'll keep the strike.
Finn finds a great line at the start of a new over and beats Miller's outside edge with a beauty. The batsman drives firmly to mid-off but he's frustrated by some good fielding from Anderson. Miller continues to flirt with the wider deliveries but he manages to survive.
Morris guides the first ball of Tredwell's over through third-man for two runs.
WICKET! MORRIS (3) C BUTTLER B TREDWELL
It keeps getting worse for South Africa in this semi-final. Tredwell finds the perfect length to catch the outside edge and Buttler is on hand to take another good catch. Kleinveldt is in next but it looks like England are targeting an early lunch.
Kleinveldt doesn't look comfortable as he just manages to survive his first three deliveries. South Africa are now relying on Miller to add some extra runs late on.
Miller knows that time could be running out and he chooses to take the batting powerplay.
The Proteas desperately need some runs and Miller shows his power with a six over long-off at the start of Finn's over. Good response from Finn to beat the outside edge when Miller attempts to drive. A single brings Kleinveldt on strike and South Africa's number 10 does well to survive the remainder of the over.
Miller flicks Tredwell through the leg-side but some good fielding from Bopara restricts the batsman to just a single. The spinner appeals for lbw but umpire Dharmasena is quick to shake his head. Kelinveldt relieves some pressure with a loft over mid-off for four runs. A thick edge brings two more behind point, seven from the over.
Finn is too short at the start of a new over and Miller pulls powerfully through mid-wicket for four runs. Root field well at cover to stop Miller from collecting two to mid-wicket. Kleinveldt is eager to stay back when facing Finn and gets himself into trouble when he's struck on the pad. The lbw appeal is rejected but Cook decides to review the decision. Kleinveldt survives as Hawkeye suggests the ball would have only just clipped leg-stump. South Africa reach 100 when Finn delivers a wide down the leg-side. Cook may turn to Anderson again soon. Two more singles scored and it's eight from the over.
Cook agrees that it's time to bring back Anderson for a new spell as England look to end the innings quickly. Miller takes a single to mid-wicket from the first ball of the over. Kleinveldt guides the ball past Morgan at point for a couple of runs but is offered little else by Anderson as he blocks the remaining deliveries.
Broad returns to bowl the final over in the batting powerplay. The seamer begins with a wide before being nudged into the leg-side for a single. A thick edge from Kleinveldt brings another run to third-man and Miller then adds a run to fine-leg with a flick off the hip. Kleinveldt rocks back to pull Broad over mid-wicket for three more. Miller ends the scoring for the over with a stunning cut over point for six superb runs.
Good move from Cook to bring Tredwell back into the attack. Kleinveldt fights the urge to attempt the big shot for the first five balls before missing with the slog-sweep and running two leg-byes. Time for a drinks break.
It's been a good fightback from Miller and Kleinveldt. England will be wary of the Proteas adding too many runs. The hosts are on top at the moment but they won't want to have to chase a difficult total closer to 170.
Miller picks up a single early in Broad's over. Kleinveldt defends the shorter ball well and gets off strike with a push into the off-side. Miller cuts the ball past point for another run before Kleinveldt digs out a yorker and earns a single for his trouble.
Cook introduces Joe Root to the attack for the first time. The slower bowler finds a good length to Kleinveldt, who collects two runs midway through the over with a lofted shot over cover. Kleinveldt makes better contact with his next shot over mid-wicket as he launches a six into the crowd to bring up the fifty partnership. One more run and it's nine from the over.
Bopara comes on for a bowl as England continue the search for the final two wickets. The medium pacer will bowl straight at the stumps and hope for a bit of movement. Kleinveldt takes advantage of a slower ball to club four runs over the bowler's head. It's just the boundary from the over. Kleinveldt is looking very impressive for a number 10.
Miller pushes Root to long-off for a single at the start of a new over. Kleinveldt adds another run through the same area but South Africa can only find two in the over. Much better from Root.
Kleinveldt takes a big risk with a lofted shot down the ground but the ball drops just short of Broad at long-on. Miller looks comfortable against Bopara's pace as he drives through the covers for a single. Just two from the over.
Root comes round the wicket to the left-handed Miller but is immediately pushed into the off-side for a single. Kleinveldt takes advantage of a fuller delivery to launch four more down the ground off the slower bowler before handing the strike to his partner, who heaves the ball over mid-wicket for four more. One more single scored and it's 11 from the over.
Bell's mistake at cover early in the over allows Miller to pick up a single. Bopara isn't quick enough to bowl short and he's punished for his inaccuracy when Kleinveldt pulls through mid-wicket for four. Kleinveldt moves past 40 with two more to fine-leg. Brilliant partnership between these two and they're giving their side some chance at The Oval.
Broad returns to the attack and is immediately flicked to fine-leg for two by Miller, who follows that shot with four over the man at short mid-wicket. A sliced drive brings another run and that's Miller's FIFTY from just 45 balls. There's a delay while Buttler changes clothes and when play does resume, two more singles are added.
Miller and Kleinveldt trade singles at the start of Bopara's over before the former reaches the rope by beating Trott at short fine-leg. Cook will be getting very nervous in the field now, England desperately need a wicket.
Broad has struggled with his line today and is punished for a leg-side wide early in a new over. Kleinveldt is struck by a bouncer but he manages to avoid getting any bat on the ball.
WICKET! KLEINVELDT (43) C BUTTLER B BROAD
Finally, England take the ninth wicket. Broad fires in another short ball to cramp Kleinveldt for room and the batsman can only glove the ball to Buttler. Superb from South Africa's number 10, who was unlucky not to get to 50.
WICKET! TSTOTSOBE (0) C BUTTLER B BROAD
Tsotsobe certainly doesn't boast the same batting ability as Kleinveldt and he's out for a golden duck. It's the short ball that does the trick as Buttler takes his sixth catch of the innings. England will be very happy to have dismissed their opponents for 175 but it could have been even better.
England were superb this morning, with Anderson causing plenty of problems with his movement. Tredwell was as solid as ever and he collected three wickets. Broad wasn't at his best but those two late wickets means that he ends with figures of 3-50. South Africa have a big challenge ahead of them now.
South Africa may take some confidence from setting 176 after being reduced to 80-8 at one stage. The Proteas will need early wickets or England will be able to cruise to the final.
We'll take a break between innings but when we return England will be chasing 176 to qualify for the final of the Champions Trophy. Join me again in 30 minutes.
Welcome back everyone. There's around 15 minutes left until England begin their chase of 176.
Just a small reminder that you can catch live text coverage of tomorrow's semi-final between India and Sri Lanka on Sports Mole at 10am.
Cook and Bell are back out in the middle. It will be Chris Morris who opens the bowling. England need 176 to win this semi-final.
Morris begins with a wide down the leg-side before quickly finding an accurate line to Cook. The bowler throws wide of the stumps when Cook takes a step down the pitch but the England skipper refuses to be intimidated by the stare that follows. Morris pushes the ball too far across the left-handed batsman and is punished by another wide.
De Villiers chooses to give the second over to the spinner Peterson. Bell flicks the first ball of the over just past the fielder at leg-slip to collect two runs. The Warwickshire ace then hands the strike to Cook with a single on the leg-side. Cook nudges the ball into the leg-side and Bell responds well to complete a quick run. Peterson turns the ball slightly off the pitch but a thick edge quickly goes to ground, rather than to slip.
Morris comes out of the attack after only one over as Duminy, South Africa's second spinner, is given the ball. Cook cuts the first ball through the off-side for a single before Bell adds another to deep square-leg. The England captain shows some attacking intent when he skips down the pitch but he only collects two runs for a slightly mistimed shot over wide mid-on. Two more singles are taken. Steady start from England.
Bell pushes Peterson into the leg-side for one. The spinner is targeting a fuller length to Cook, who responds by sweeping through square-leg for a single. Solid defence on show from both players. Good over.
The Duminy experiment comes to an end as Morris returns. Cook miscues a cut shot when the seamer drops his first delivery short. The opener then misses with a similar shot before being forced onto the back foot by some extra pace. Good return for Morris as he completes a maiden over.
The changes continue to come as Tsotsobe comes into the attack. A wider delivery gives Bell some freedom and the batsman takes advantage by cutting through point for four. The seamer tightens his line in the middle of the over but offers Bell more width and four more is scored through point. Good over for England.
WICKET! COOK (6) C DE VILLIERS B MORRIS
South Africa make the crucial breakthrough as Morris sends Cook back to the dressing room. England's captain attempts to turn the ball onto the leg-side but he's late with the shot and gets a thin inside edge through to de Villiers. Trott in next.
Morris greets Trott with a freebie on leg-stump and the new batsman accepts by clipping the ball through square-leg for four. The bowler responds well but he's met with some solid defence from Trott.
Peterson returns following a short break. Bell flicks the ball behind square on the leg-side and shows good intent to hurry a couple of runs. A push down the ground brings another single but Trott will keep the strike following a run to fine-leg. De Villiers is being positive with his field placements but he needs a few more wickets to worry England.
Superb from Trott as he guides a full delivery through mid-wicket for four runs. England's number three then targets the off-side as he picks up three with a cut past point. Morris responds with a bit of extra bounce to beat Bell's outside edge. Bell adds a run on the leg-side before Trott scurries through to steal the strike from the final ball.
Big appeal for lbw from South Africa but it looks like Trott makes contact with the ball before it hits his bat. The batsman then chips the ball into the air but it drops just short of mid-off. It's a maiden over from Peterson and that's the end of the first powerplay.
Kleinveldt is into the attack and he'll be full of confidence following his display with the bat earlier. Bell clips the ball over square-leg for a couple of runs.
WICKET! BELL (20) C DE VILLIERS B KLEINVELDT
Big wicket for the Proteas. Bell nibbles at one outside off-stump and offers an easy chance to de Villiers behind the stumps. Huge celebrations. England need a partnership soon.
Root is the new batsman but he's off strike as Peterson begins another over. The spinner beats Trott's outside edge with one that turns and bounces. Trott sits back to defend a quicker one and he's fortunate to get some bat on the ball. The batsman relieves some pressure by following five dot balls with four runs straight past mid-on.
Root gets off the mark with a run behind square on the off-side. Kleinveldt is bowling with good pace so far but Trott is equal to the threat as he clips a single through square-leg. Good bounce from the bowler and he concedes just two from the over.
McLaren comes into the attack to replace Peterson. Trott gets off strike when he chips the ball just short of the fielder at mid-on. Root times a drive well but picks out du Plessis on the off-side but pick the gaps a ball later to collect a single. Just two runs from McLaren's first over.
Root drills a cut shot straight to point before punching the next ball through the covers for three runs. Kleinveldt finds a good line in the middle of the over but loses his length to allow Trott to pull through square-leg for a couple of runs. England need 122 more runs to win.
Root cuts at a wider one from McLaren but misses and the bowler is punished for a wide. The batsman mistimes a pull shot and there's a mix-up between the England duo but Root recovers to make his ground. Root crunches a couple of shots into the off-side but picks out Duminy at cover on both occasions. Two runs taken through the leg-side from the final ball of the over.
Tsotsobe is back into the attack but he begins the over with a half-volley and Trott drives through extra cover for four runs. The seamer pulls his length back slightly to force Trott to defend for the remainder of the over. Time for a drinks break.
McLaren attempts to surprise Trott with a bouncer just after the drinks break but England's number three does well to pull the ball through square-leg for a single. The seamer strays later in the over and he's punished as England collects four leg-byes. Root looks impressive even as he defends. Six from the over.
Trott plays the cut as late as possible to guide the ball to third-man for a single. Root punishes Tsotsobe for a wider ball by hammering four runs through point. The bowler responds by striking Root in a very vulnerable area with one that nips back but the batsman isn't interested in exchanging stares with Tsotsobe, who has been poor so far.
Trott opens the face of his bat to earn a single to mid-on again. Root expertly splits the fielders on the off-side to collect four more through point. McLaren goes straighter to Root but there's no movement for the seamer and the batsman easily blocks out the over.
England need 99 more runs to reach the final and they have 30 overs to reach their target.
Morris returns to the attack and he thanks Miller for saving four runs when Trott drives powerfully to cover. A pull through square-leg earns Trott a single. It's a decent comeback for Morris, who has definitely looked the most dangerous South African pace bowler.
Peterson bowled well earlier and the spinner comes back on for a new spell. The spinner caries his pace well early in the over and Trott does well to turn the ball past leg-slip for a couple of runs. He might not be the quickest of scorers but Trott will punish the bad ball and that's exactly what he does when he pulls a shorter delivery through the leg-side for four. Leg-slip is in play again when Trott flicks the ball past Kleinveldt but he picks the gap and the England duo run well to collect three.
Too full from Morris at the start of a new over and Trott drives effortlessly through cover for four. The batsman adds another run to third-man to give the strike to his partner. Root enjoys some luck from the final ball of the over when an inside edge beats de Villiers and races to the rope for four. Difficult chance for the Proteas skipper, who did well just to get a glove on the ball.
Trott continues to take on leg-slip, where du Plessis is now placed and England's number three collects a single. Root flicks a couple more to fine-leg before coming agonisingly close to dragging the ball onto his own stumps. Brilliant from McLaren at wide mid-off to stop Root's drive and restrict the batsman to a single.
Root cuts the ball behind point for a single. Morris surprises Trott with a bit of extra bounce to leave the batsman looking quizzically at the pitch. The seamer then delivers a leg-side wide before Peterson does superbly at fine-leg to stop Trott from reaching the boundary with a deflection off his glove.
England are cruising to 176 at the moment. South Africa must take some wickets soon but it's difficult to see where the breakthrough will come from.
Peterson beats Trott with some extra bounce before striking the pad to encourage a big appeal. It's not out and South Africa wisely decide against reviewing the decision, with Hawkeye suggesting the ball would have crept past leg-stump. Trott nudges two through point before reaching passing FIFTY with four through cover. England's number three continues to deliver in almost every game. Three more through mid-wicket and it's nine from Peterson's over.
Trott is currently on 56 from 65 balls and has played the perfect innings since England lost those two early wickets. There's a ball change between overs but don't worry, there's no funny business going on this time. Duminy is set to return to the attack.
The part-time spinner is too short at the start of the over and Trott earns a single through mid-wicket. Duminy adjusts his pace slightly to Root, who defends well on both the front and back foot. Good over, just one run scored.
Trott hands the strike to Root early in a new over from McLaren. The seamer fires in a bouncer but Root looks assured as he pulls in front of square on the leg-side for four. Root sits back in his crease later in the over to guide a single to point. Positive cricket from England.
Beautiful shot through extra cover from Root, who seems to barely hit Duminy's first ball of the over but still earns four. Du Plessis fields brilliantly at short mid-wicket to keep Root on strike. Peterson dives at wide mid-on to block Root later in the over but England still manage to run twice. A single from the final delivery makes it seven from the over.
Good slower ball from Mclaren early in a new over to beat Root's outside edge. The Yorkshire batsman nudges a single through the leg-side. Trott displays a delicate touch to guide the ball past slip for a couple of runs before pulling a bouncer to fine-leg for four more. England are strolling to the final.
Kleinveldt returns to the attack for a new spell at the start of the 31st over. Four dot balls are followed by a clip through square-leg by Root for a single. Trott middles a drive to mid-off but McLaren stops the ball easily. Good over from Kleinveldt.
Duminy is back into the attack and he immediately has Root fishing for the ball outside off-stump. Root follows a tentative shot with a far more convincing strike down the ground for four runs. Duminy delivers a juicy half-tracker a couple of balls later and Root rocks back in his crease to pull through mid-wicket to reach the rope again. Good cricket from both England players to hurry two to deep mid-wicket.
WICKET! ROOT (46) B DUMINY
Root attempts a cheeky scoop to fine-leg but he fails to make contact with the ball and is bowled by Duminy. Muted celebrations from South Africa and they know this game has got away from them.
Eoin Morgan is the new batsman but it's Trott who is on strike for Tsotsobe's new over. A push through third-man for a single gives the strike to Morgan, who is more than happy to remain watchful at this stage of the match. Just a single from the over. England need 29 more for victory.
Duminy is punched through mid-wicket for a single by Trott. Morgan gets off the mark with a chip into the leg-side before Trott adds another as England reach 150. Easy work for England at the moment.
Tsotsobe has not been at his best today for the Proteas and he's too full again in a new over to allow Trott to drive through extra cover for four. If that was a good shot, the next one is a great shot. Trott shuffles across the crease before punching the ball past mid-on for another boundary. It's time for the batting powerplay.
Morgan's reverse sweep at the start of a new over from Peterson forces Miller into a chase but England are still able to pick up two runs. A push to mid-on brings a quick single due to a poor throw from Duminy at mid-on. Trott adds another couple before cruising a single behind square on the off-side to get off strike. Morgan reverse sweeps once again to collect three more. England need just nine more runs for victory.
Morris returns to the attack but a tidy start to the over is ruined when Morgan hammers the ball through point for four. Five more needed. The seamer delivers a poor full toss and Morgan takes advantage again to score four through the covers. Scores are level and England need just a single to reach the final.
ENGLAND WIN BY SEVEN WICKETS AND QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS TROPHY FINAL!
The fireworks go off at The Oval as Morgan embraces Trott, who drives the winning runs through cover, in the middle. Dominant performance from England to reach the final in style. Trott ends the match unbeaten on 82.
I believe that's what you would call a great team performance. Everyone played a part for England today. South Africa certainly weren't at their best but Cook's men set the tone from the first ball and fully deserve their place in the final.
Anderson and Tredwell were hugely impressive with the ball once again for England. Trott and Root looked calm out in the middle as they guided England to the most comfortable of victories.
South Africa continue to struggle in the big games of major tournaments but their cause hasn't been helped by injuries to Morkel and Steyn. However, a side with so much talent will be disappointed to have been beaten so easily today.
So, England are the first team to qualify for Sunday's final. They will meet either India or Sri Lanka, who meet in the second semi-final tomorrow. Sports Mole will be covering that game too and you can join me at 10.00am to see who will book their spot in the final at Edgbaston.
Thanks for joining me today. South Africa's poor record in semi-finals continue but the day belongs to England, who have cruised into the final of the Champions Trophy. Only time will tell if Cook's side can finally win a 50-over tournament. Goodbye.
