West Indies' Chris Gayle (right) talks to England's Kevin Pietersen after England won the match by three wickets in Ahmedabad yesterday. - Reuters

AHEMADABAD, India (AP):

HARD-HITTING batsman Kevin Pietersen struck a flawless unbeaten 90 yesterday in England's stunning three-wicket victory over defending champions West Indies in their last Group A limited-overs game of the ICC Champions Trophy tournament.

The West Indies posted a healthy total of 272 for four off their 50 overs on the back of Dwayne Bravo and Chris Gayle centuries, but Pietersen's 90 off 86 balls saw England home - 276 for seven - with nine balls to spare.

England were out of contention for the semi-finals after losing to India and Ashes rivals Australia.

The West Indies, with four points from two victories, finished second in their group due to a poorer run-rate (+0.01). They will meet Group B winners South Africa at Jaipur in the second semi-final on Thursday.

India (+0.89 run-rate) will face Australia (+0.51 run-rate) at Mohali today and the winner will stay at Mohali for the first semi-final against Group B runners-up New Zealand on Wednesday.

Pietersen came on after Gayle removed dangerman Andrew Flintoff and Paul Collingwood in the space of three deliveries in the 21st over. Despite losing four more wickets, Pietersen stood firm against some wayward West Indies bowling and got good support from the tailend batsmen.

batted well

"We wanted someone to bat through and win. Kevin (Pietersen) steadied the ship and batted well, if he plays like that the team gets stronger and stronger," said England captain Flintoff.

"I am pleased today because we did not perform as we could in the previous two games. This victory against a form side like the West Indies is important in our development plans."

Pietersen hit nine fours and a six and capitalised on a solid England start when openers Andrew Strauss (50) and Ian Bell (50) put on better than run-a-ball 82 runs. Gayle gave a brief setback to England's chase when he clean bowled Strauss in his first over and later Flintoff (25) holed out at the fence while Paul Collingwood (0) was snapped up in the slips in the space of three deliveries.

Fast bowlers Jerome Taylor (0-64) and Fidel Edwards (0-56) proved expensive and could not stop Pietersen from hitting some powerful boundaries.

"Credit must go to their batters for doing very well. Pietersen stayed till the end and showed that he has the commitment and resolve to do it," West Indies captain Brian Lara said.

"We could have defended the total, but we allowed England too many runs in the first 15 overs. Perhaps it was the right time to get the hiccup."

Earlier, Bravo (112 not out) hit a maiden century while Gayle (101) smashed 10 fours and a six against a spineless England bowling attack.

Bravo and Gayle combined in a 174-run second wicket partnership off 208 balls before Gayle was run out in the 43rd over - a ball after completing his century off 127 balls.

Bravo faced 124 balls and hit 14 boundaries and a six in his unbeaten knock. He raised his century with a 12th boundary when he flicked fast bowler James Anderson to the fine leg fence in the 47th over. Bravo's only stumble in an otherwise attractive knock was on 79 when wicketkeeper Chris Read missed a stumping chance.