Kevin Pietersen ruined Chris Gayle's party with an explosive 90 not out as England stunned the West Indies by three wickets in the Champions Trophy here on Saturday.
The big-hitting batsman's 10th half-century under pressure helped England surpass the West Indies' challenging total of 272-4 with nine balls to spare in a day-night match neither team feared to lose.
The West Indies had already qualified for the semi-finals with two wins in as many matches in the four-team group, while England were out of contention after losing their first two games against India and Australia. The West Indies will take on Group B winners South Africa in the second semi-final at Jaipur on November 2.
England owed their consolation win ahead of next month's Ashes series to Pietersen, who smashed one six and nine fours off 86 balls in a stunning display of aggressive batting.
Pietersen upstaged man-of-the-match Gayle, who hammered a solid 101 for his 14th century to help his team set a stiff target and then grabbed three big wickets with his off-spin. Gayle also added 174 for the second wicket with Dwayne Bravo, who remained unbeaten with 112 for his maiden century. Gayle hit 10 fours and one six and Bravo one six and 14 fours.
Pietersen posed the main threat to the West Indies' total after left-handed opener Andrew Strauss had given England a blazing start with a 47-ball 50. England raced to 82 in less than 12 overs, thanks to Strauss and Ian Bell (50) before Pietersen finished the job in style under lights. The afternoon belonged to Gayle and Bravo as they never looked under pressure against England's pace-spin combination on a good batting wicket.
The 23-year-old Bravo initially outscored Gayle, reaching his half-century off 60 balls with 10 fours before his senior partner dominated the England attack with handsome shots on both sides of the wicket.
SCOREBOARD
WEST INDIES
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C. Gayle run out 101
S. Chanderpaul lbw b Lewis 13
D. Bravo not out 112
R. Sarwan c Collingwood b Mahmood 29
B. Lara b Mahmood 3
M. Samuels not out 3
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Extras: (lb1, nb1, w9) 11
Total: (for four wickets) 272
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Fall of wickets: 1-35 (Chanderpaul), 2-209 (Gayle), 3-259 (Sarwan), 4-268 (Lara).
Bowling: Anderson 10-0-72-0 (w1), Lewis 10-1-35-1 (w1), Flintoff 5-0-27-0 (w1), Mahmood 7-0-44-2 (nb1, w5), Yardy 5-1-32-0, Dalrymple 10-0-42-0 (w1), Collingwood 3-0-19-0.
Overs: 50
ENGLAND
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A. Strauss b Gayle 50
I. Bell run out 50
A. Flintoff c Taylor b Gayle 25
P. Collingwood c Smith b Gayle 0
K. Pietersen not out 90
M. Yardy c Bravo b Samuels 10
J. Dalrymple b Samuels 8
C. Read c Gayle b Bravo 4
S. Mahmood not out 14
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Extras: (lb11, nb4, w10) 25
Total: (for seven wickets) 276
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Fall of wickets: 1-82 (Strauss), 2-126 (Flintoff), 3-127 (Collingwood), 4-162 (Bell), 5-180 (Yardy), 6-214 (Dalrymple), 7-232 (Read).
Bowling: Edwards 7-0-56-0 (nb3, w6), Taylor 8.3-0-64-0 (w3), Collymore 10-1-43-0 (nb1), Gayle 10-1-31-3, Samuels 10-0-45-2, Bravo 3-0-26-1 (w1)
Overs: 48.3
Result: England win by three wickets
Man of the match: Chris Gayle (WIS)
Toss: West Indies
Umpires: Simon Taufel (AUS) and Daryl Harper (AUS)
TV umpire: Aleem Dar (PAK)
Match referee: Mike Procter (RSA)
Next match: Australia v India at Mohali (October 29).
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