Ponting backs England to win Champions Trophy

"I hope England go all the way," Australian captain said after the 'Poms' ended a run of 14 straight ODI defeats stretching back to 1999.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting put aside traditional rivalries and said he hoped England won the Champions Trophy after the World Cup holders lost to their oldest foes by six wickets in Tuesday's semi-final at Edgbaston.

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"I hope England go all the way and win it," said Ponting after the 'Poms' ended a run of 14 straight One-Day International defeats against Australia stretching back to 1999.

The hosts now face the winners of Wednesday's Rose Bowl match between Pakistan and West Indies in Saturday's final at The Oval.

And Ponting added, "I'd rather see England win than the other two sides that are left. Good luck to them. I thought they played well today, the attitude they showed and their skills were very good.

"Hopefully they'll play well on Saturday. I think they've got what it takes to win it."

For many Australia fans, losing to England at any sport is the bitterest pill to swallow but Ponting insisted, "It doesn't matter who you lose to it still hurts."

England's victory pursuit of 260 was led by captain Michael Vaughan's One-Day International best 86, his side finishing on 262 for four with 21 balls to spare.

Earlier, occasional off-spinner Vaughan, the man-of-the-match, took two for 42 as Australia were held to 259 for nine when a total in excess of 270 looked within reach.

"I thought we were probably 30 runs shy of what we should have got," said Ponting of a batting display where all the top order made starts only for the highest score to be Damien Martyn's 65.

"We were going to have bowl extremely well to restrict England to under 259 and they batted well.