Aussies power into Trophy final.

(From Guardian Unlimited)

Australia today reached their first ever Champions Trophy final after securing a 34-run victory over New Zealand.

Ricky Ponting's men appeared on course for the most comprehensive victory of the tournament under the Mohali lights when the Kiwis imploded to 35 for six but a century stand between Daniel Vettori and Jacob Oram narrowed the margin considerably.

Asked to bat first, Australia lost early wickets but posted 240 for nine thanks to half-centuries from Ponting and Andrew Symonds. On a surface which offered pace and bounce veteran Glenn McGrath then decimated the New Zealand top order with a spell of 10-2-22-3.

Last week Pakistan's batting crumbled against South Africa on the same strip but the Kiwis brought about their own downfalls with poor application. McGrath, whose place in the Australian side at the age of 36 has come under scrutiny Down Under, enjoyed the favourable conditions and began the rout when he put Lou Vincent out of his misery. Vincent, who made just a single, edged to second slip from his 15th delivery to begin a spell of six wickets for 19 runs in nine overs.

McGrath's new-ball partner Brett Lee had nipped one back to bowl Nathan Astle by the time he struck a second blow - a static waft from Hamish Marshall offering a simple chance to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.

In a classical piece of fast bowling, McGrath peppered Peter Fulton with short balls before locating off-stump with a fuller delivery. In between that dismissal left-armer Nathan Bracken snared the prize scalp of Black Caps captain Stephen Fleming with one that swung away and had Brendon McCullum caught at mid-on from a mishit drive.