Ponting predicted success for Harris at international level a year ago

Melbourne, Feb 2 (ANI): Skipper Ricky Ponting had tipped a year ago that the latest bowling discovery Ryan Harris will excel after an eight-season first-class apprenticeship with South Australia and the Bulls

"I'm not surprised by it. When we first saw him 12 months ago everyone could see that he had great talent to bowl decent pace and swing the new ball," he said.

Harris took 3-44 in Sunday night's eventful one-day clash in Perth to secure the Man of the Series honours in Australia's 5-0 hammering of Pakistan.

Harris's determination to prove that he would be no one-hit wonder at international level spurred him to take 13 wickets at 8.15 in just three games.

"It's going to be hard to ignore what he's done isn't it - 13 wickets in three games, a pretty low economy rate and early wickets in every one of those games as well," FOX Sports quoted Ponting, as saying.

Harris is now firmly in the frame for Australia's tour of New Zealand and for another series win against Chris Gayle's West Indies outfit.

Rested players, left-armer Doug Bollinger and all-rounder Shane Watson, will return to Ponting's line-up leaving selectors with a nice, though welcome dilemma.

"Ryan's taken the first wicket in the last three games for us. So it's hard to ignore those sort of performances but once we get everyone back fit and healthy, the selectors are going to have some tough decisions to make," Ponting said. (ANI)

Ponting and Watson inspire Australia victory

Centurion: Centuries from Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson inspired Australia to a comfortable nine-wicket win against England in the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy.

After winning the toss, England recovered from 101-6 to post a respectable total of 257 all out, with a brilliant innings by Tim Bresnan (80), who received excellent support from Luke Wright (48) as they put on a seventh-wicket stand of 107.

In reply, although Tim Paine fell early, Shane Watson (136 not out) and Ricky Ponting (111 not out) added the highest ODI partnership in Australia's history to coast to an excellent win.

Ponting also became the first Australia player and only the third batter overallto reach 12,000 ODI runs.

Australia will play the winner of tomorrow's semi-final between New Zealand and Pakistan in Monday's final.

Earlier, Tim Bresnan hit a gritty 80 and erected a crucial 107-run stand with Luke Wright (48) to steer England to a competitive 257 against Australia in the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy.

Electing to bat, England innings was in tatters having lost six wicket without reaching the half-way mark but Bresnan and Wright batted with steely resolve to extricate their team.

Bresnan, who replaced Stuart Broad in today's match, dug in with Wright to redeem the England innings with some clever batting under pressure.

From a depressing 101 for six in 20.2 overs, England went on to put up at least a fighting total, making sure that holders Australia work hard to earn another shot at the title.

Bresnan's splendid knock, adorned with 11 boundaries, came off just 76 balls while Wright helped himself with two boundaries and two massive sixes - both coming off tweaker Nauthan Hauritz.

Peter Siddle separated the pair when he had Wight caught behind but there was no let up in England's assault as Bresnan in company of Graeme Swann (18) continued the good work.

Swann supported his partner well with some smart batting before running himself out.

Bresnan's excellent innings ended when Brett Lee castled him in the fag end as England innings folded in 47.4 overs.

Peter Siddle (3/55) was the most successful bowler while Brett Lee (2/46) and Shane Watson (2/35) took two wickets apiece.