Cricket: Australia thrash England to reach super eights

CAPE TOWN - Australia roared into the Super Eights of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup after thrashing England by eight wickets in the final Group B match on Saturday (NZ time).

The world champions were in danger of being eliminated in the first stage of the competition after their shock defeat by Zimbabwe in their opening match. But they made amends on Friday after they overhauled England's total of 135 all out with 31 balls to spare.

Zimbabwe were knocked out of the event on net run rate since all three teams in the group finished with two points.

Fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Bracken grabbed six wickets between them while Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist shared an opening stand of 78.

England's batsmen struggled to score steadily against Australia's disciplined bowling. Andrew Flintoff's 31 from 19 balls was their top score.

- REUTERS