Australia romped into the next stage of the ICC World Twenty20 Championships claiming Kevin Pietersen's pre-match comments had backfired badly on England.

The Hampshire batsman stirred up Australia before yesterday's encounter at Newlands by saying he wanted to humiliate them by securing the victory which would send them hurtling out of the tournament.

But those comments only served to provoke Australia into a stunning display and claim a seven-wicket win with 31 balls remaining.

England managed to make it through to the second stage as the victory was not achieved quick enough to put them out on run rate.

Paul Collingwood's side were dismissed for a lowly 135, eclipsing their previous Twenty20 lowest of 144 for nine recorded the last time the two sides met in this format in Sydney in January Their display delighted captain Ricky Ponting, who claimed Pietersen's comments had backfired on his side after being comprehensively outplayed.

"A lot of the guys in this side have been playing cricket a long time and unless you can back up comments they don't mean anything at all," said Ponting.

"They had their chance today to do what he said they wanted to do which was a once in a lifetime opportunity to try to humiliate Australia - and if anything they were the ones who walked off humiliated today."

For full story see today's Daily Echo.