Gilchrist Powers Australia Home

Adam Gilchrist's 11th one-day international hundred eclipsed the best efforts of Kevin Pietersen as Australia hammered England by eight wickets in today's NatWest Challenge decider at The Oval.

England were never competitive - despite Pietersen's determined innings of 74 - after they stuttered to 93 for six at one stage on the way to a below-par 228 for seven, having been put in first under cloudless skies on a typically pacy and even pitch.

A dispiriting day for the hosts, who have lost the psychological edge they appeared to have over the Aussies in the run-up to the Ashes, was a mixed one for Pietersen.

His seven fours and two sixes off 84 balls brought his claims for an Ashes call to the fore while the remainder of the England batsmen - with the exception of his seventh-wicket partner and substitute Vikram Solanki (53 not out) - fluffed their lines in such favourable conditions.

But Pietersen then limped off with a groin problem only four overs into an Australia reply which was dominated by an 81-ball century from Gilchrist (121no).

The wicketkeeper-batsman was savage in his treatment of new-ball pair Darren Gough and Stephen Harmison and went on to hit 16 fours and a six on his way to three figures, helping Australia see off the hosts with more than 15 overs to spare.