PHOTOS: England vs South Africa, ICC Champions Trophy (SF)

England progressed to the final of the Champions trophy after defeating South Africa by seven wickets at Kennington Oval on Wednesday.

The hosts bundled out South Africa for a meagre 175 after inserting them in to bat and then comfortably overhauled the target with 12.3 overs to spare. 

- Scorecard

Earlier, James Anderson ensured hosts England a perfect start in their ICC Champions Trophy semi-final against South Africa at The Oval. The England strike bowler had Colin Ingram (0) out leg before with his fifth ball.

Steven Finn then struck with his fourth ball, having Hashim Amla (1) out leg before.

The in-form James Anderson, who had picked up eight wickets in the three group matches, struck again in his sixth over. 

England's strike bowler had Robin Peterson (30) out leg before. The dismissal took his haul for the tournament to 10. 

Anderson's first spell figures (7-1-11-2) made for an impressive read. He eventually ended with figures of two for 14.

Robin Peterson and Faf du Plessis added 41 runs for the third wicket before Anderson struck for a second time. 

Peterson's 41-ball 30 was inclusive of four boundaries. 

He was dismissed in the 11th over.

Du Plessis made 26 off 39, an innings inclusive of three boundaries. 

His dismissal, caught behind off Tredwell, left South Africa tottering at 70 for six inside 20 overs. 

Stuart Broad came in as the first change and made an immediate impression. 

He took the vital wicket of AB de Villiers (0), having the South African captain caught behind. 

Broad also had JP Duminy out first ball. But the decision was overturned by the third umpire. Duminy albeit didn't last long.=, making a painstaking three, off 11 balls, before James Tredwell got through his defence.  

However, he came back to account for Rory Kleinveldt (43) and Lonwabo Tsotsobe (0), both caught behind off successive deliveries, to finish with figures of three for 50.

James Tredwell, in the squad in place of Graeme Swann, proved to be a perfect substitute for the latter.

Tredwell first had Duminy bowled before taking the vital wicket of Faf du Plesssis (26), having the latter caught behind.

The spinner also had Chris Morris (3) caught behind to reduce South Africa to 80 for eight in only the 23rd over.

He finished with figures of three for 19.

South Africa albeit scripted a remarkable late recovery, eventually making 175 after being down in the dumps at 80 for eight in the 23rd over.

David Miller top-scored with an unbeaten 56.

Miller's unbeaten innings off 51 balls contained five fours and two sixes as he launched a swift counter-attack.

Miller found an able ally in Rory Kleinveldt (43), the two adding 95 runs for the ninth wicket, in just 16 overs, as the South African total got some semblance of respectability.

It was the highest ever partnership for South Africa for that wicket. 

Kleinveldt didn't get bogged down by the reputation of the English bowlers, the pacer hitting four boundaries and a six in his 61-ball knock.

Later, when England batted, Kleinveldt returned to impress with the ball, claiming the vital wicket of Ian Bell (20).

England lost their openers early but Jonathan Trott (82 not out) and Joe Root (48) batted with clam and assurance to lead the hosts to the finish line. They shared a 105-run stand for the third wicket.

Trott paced innings well as he batted cautiously initially and started playing strokes once it was sure that England had reached a safe position. 

It is second time that England have qualified for the Champions Trophy final. The last time they featured in the final was in 2004. That time also they had hosted the event and ended runners-up to the West Indies. 

Trott's knock came off 84 balls with 11 boundaries while Root helped himself with seven shots to the fence in his 71-ball knock. By the time Root JP Duminy dismissed Root, England were inches from the win. And Trott ensured the needful.