Proteas decimate England to storm into ICC Champions Trophy semifinals

England had already been eliminated from the tournament before the contest and it showed in a limp batting display as they were dismissed for a paltry 179.

The Proteas then had no trouble in reaching the target as Rassie van der Dussen and Heinrich Klaasen struck half-centuries for a comfortable run-chase.

South Africa finish the group stage on five points after two wins,  against Afghanistan and England, and sharing the points with fellow semifinalists Australia after rain had abandoned the contest.

Departing England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and chose to bat first but saw his side soon in trouble as Marco Jansen struck three times within the opening seven overs.

The lanky fast bowler accounted for Phil Salt (8), Jamie Smith (0) and Ben Duckett (24) as England slipped to 37-3.

Joe Root and Harry Brook (19) did a mini rebuild job but spinner Keshav Maharaj (2-35) made the breakthrough when Brook was brilliantly caught by Jansen on the long-on boundary.

Wickets continue to fall at regular intervals with Root's 37 the top-score in the innings before Wiaan Mulder (3-25) got to nip one through the gate of the England king pin batter.

The Proteas' run-chase did not get off to the smoothest of starts as makeshift opener Tristan Stubbs, standing in for the ill Temba Bavuma, was bowled by Jofra Archer for a duck.

Ryan Rickelton again looked in sparkling form as the left-hander stroked five fours in his 27 but Archer (2-55) again disturbed the stumps as the Proteas were 47-2 in the ninth over.

Van der Dussen and the returning Klaasen snuffed out any hopes that England might have had of a fightback as the batting pair added  127 from 122 balls for the third wicket.

Klassen, playing his first game of the tournament after recovering from an elbow injury, look in superb touch to strike 64 off 56 balls while Van der Dussen was unbeaten at the end with 72 off 87 deliveries.

The Proteas reached the target with more than 20 overs of their innings still to spare to show their dominance in the contest.

The Proteas will now wait to see who they will play between India and New Zealand in the last four with hopes high of breaking their ICC trophy curse.

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