England spinner Graeme Swann has said he cannot wait to face Australia in the Champions Trophy and is confident his side can claim an unlikely victory.

Ricky Ponting’s men sealed a semi-final spot against England by beating Pakistan at the Wanderers today and have been immediately installed as favourites to win Friday’s much-anticipated encounter.

Speaking before Australia’s win today, which confirmed the last-four match-up, Swann claimed England are "on the up" against the baggy green.

"Last time we played them we hammered them," he joked.

"But no, I’d love to face Australia. It’s the old enemy and everyone seems to get more interested in those games."

Going into the limited-overs tournament in South Africa, England were made rank outsiders alongside a second-string West Indies side following a 6-1 one-day international series demolition at the hands of the Australians.

But after back-to-back wins over much-fancied Sri Lanka and hosts South Africa propelled England into the semi-finals with a match to spare, Swann now claims the team have a new-found confidence.

"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," he explained.

"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."

After England take on Australia on Friday, Pakistan and New Zealand will fight it out on Saturday for the other place in the final next Monday.

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