Birmingham, July 12 -- The first flew over long-on. The second went straight down the ground, too, off the very next ball. Jason Roy made it a hat trick of sixes with the best of the lot, almost sending the white ball out of Edgbaston.

England powered into a first Cricket World Cup final in 27 years - and did it in some style.

Showing no nerves chasing the biggest prize in the sport, the tournament host trounced defending five-time champion and archrival Australia by eight wickets on Thursday to ensure there will be a first-time winner of the World Cup.

New Zealand awaits in the final at Lord's on Sunday.

Roy led the way in a one-sided second semifinal, the opener living up to his billing as the showman of the team by smashing 85 off ...