Michael Clarke (55) and Andrew Symonds (28) comfortably took Australia past England's tally of 247 all out, although the Aussies suffered a few anxious moments midway through their innings after Paul Collingwood was introduced to the England attack.

Adam Gilchrist (27) was already in the pavilion after lobbing an easy catch to Collingwood off Andrew Flintoff, but it was Collingwood's bowling that looked to be England's most potent weapon as he bowled Matthew Hayden (41) with his first ball.

The opener was caught unawares by a reverse-swing delivery that beat the edge of his bat and clipped off stump with Australia at 2-89.

Australia's recovery was patient as Clarke and Ponting set about creating a partnership while England's bowlers were well on top.

Three overs after Hayden's dismissal, Ponting was incredibly fortunate not to have been run out, as England skipper Michael Vaughan's shy at the stumps just missed with the captain well out of his crease.

However, Ponting and Clarke gradually worked their way on top of England's bowlers, scoring 112 for the partnership, before Ponting was eventually run out with the score at 201 as Collingwood produced a sensational throw to dismiss the Aussie skipper.

After having limited time at the crease throughout this tournament, Andrew Symonds took to the England bowlers with relish but the Queenslander was fortunate not to have been given out as Nixon caught him with his foot just inside the boundary.

However, Nixon was so close to the ropes that he tossed the ball away rather than take it over for six and Symonds survived despite the fielder appearing to have controlled the catch within the boundary.

Symonds's big hitting continued though as he struck 28 from 28 balls as the Australians comfortably cruised past England's total.

Earlier in the day, England looked set for a massive total at 2-164 before England's batting collapsed.

Kevin Pieterson was fortunate to have been dropped by Hayden when on 63 with the big-hitter going on to make 104, as he combined with opener Ian Bell (77) in a 140 run partnership after Michael Vaughan (five) and Andrew Strauss (seven) fell cheaply as Shaun Tait took both wickets in a ferocious opening spell.

However, when Bell was caught by Mike Hussey off Glenn McGrath (3-62 from 9.5 overs), the wheels fell off England's innings as it lost its final seven wickets for 80 runs.

Nathan Bracken took the best figures out of the Australian bowlers with 3-33 but Tait (3-42) was named man of the match for another fine performance which should have seen the South Australian take at least one more wicket.

The loss leaves England needing to win all its final Super Eights matches to progress to the semi-finals, although other results will need to go the way of Michael Vaughan's men if they are to go through.

Sportal