England, Australia Champions Trophy final would be ideal: Swann

Johannesburg, Sep.30 (ANI): England off-spinner Graeme Swann is dreaming of facing Australia in the final of the Champions Trophy.

Victories over Group B favourites South Africa and Sri Lanka made last night's loss to New Zealand academic.

They will now face either Australia or Pakistan in the first semi-final at Centurion on Friday with serious ambitions of glory.

It's a strong belief. Coming into this, I don't think anyone had realistic ambitions of us winning but the first two games proved we can and has strengthened belief. We don't make the tournament predictions. We knew if we turned up and played decent cricket for two games we would get into the semi-finals and that is what we have done," The Independent quoted Swann, as saying.

Australia thrashed England 6-1 in the recent NatWest Series but Swann claimed a five-wicket haul as a whitewash was averted in the campaign finale at the Riverside.

If England are in the opposite semi-final to Australia, which can happen if Ricky Ponting's side fail to beat Pakistan in their final group game today, the prospect of a clash in the final would be tantalising.

"We are on the up against Australia. The last time we played them we hammered them!" Swann joked.

"I would love to face Australia in the final. It's the old enemy and everyone seems to get more interested in those games." (ANI)