 |  We got a few key wickets around the 35-over mark |
Captain Michael Vaughan was relieved to play his part as a resurgent England one-day team beat Australia by six wickets in the Champions Trophy. Vaughan was named man-of-the-match after striking 86 and taking 2-42 while bowling a full allotment of 10 overs.
He said: "I felt I owed the team some runs in the one-day game and I'm delighted we got through to the final.
"The off-spin was a bit of a surprise for us all today but it came out well. The 86 runs are more important."
Vaughan said the post-World Cup clearout had assisted the team's mental approach.
"There were only two guys in our team today who were involved in our last win against Australia and not many in the 14 losses.
"We will certainly give whoever gets into the final a good match.
"For us to restrict them to 259 was a great effort. We got a few key wickets around the 35-over mark and that gave us the opportunity to chase the runs."
Andrew Strauss, who was there at the end hitting 52 off just 42 balls, said: "I came in in a pretty good situation. We had a good platform and it was a case of knocking them off.
"Days like these are what we play for and I am happy as Larry."
Marcus Trescothick, another of the batting stars with an occasionally brutal 81 at the top of the order, said: "When we lost Vikram [Solanki] for a few overs after that they bowled really well, really tight.
"I think we played well, that's the main thing. We reacted to how they bowled and I think it's just credit to England and how we're playing."
As well as the roles which he and Vaughan played in the victory, Trescothick was appreciative of the innings played by Strauss.
"The role he's playing at the moment is fantastic. He seems to score without you realising," said Trescothick.
MMIX
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