Cameron hails England’s win

British Prime Minister David Cameron hailed England’s cricketers after they won their first major one-day title in a seven-wicket victory over Australia in Sunday’s World Twenty20 final.

“Congratulations to (captain) Paul Collingwood and the England Twenty20 team on becoming world champions for the first time with a magnificent victory over Australia,” he said.

Great summer

“Let’s hope this marks the start of a great summer of sport for England.”

Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson added: ``I’m absolutely delighted England have won the World Twenty20.

“They have played exciting and intelligent cricket and are worthy winners.”

South Africa born batsmen Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen starred as England stormed to victory at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Unbeaten

England, chasing 148 to win, after reducing a previously unbeaten Australian side at this tournament to eight for three, saw Kieswetter (63) and Pietersen (47) put on 111 for the second wicket at the Kensington Oval.

They eventually won with three overs to spare when Collingwood struck Shane Watson for a boundary as his side finished on 151 for three.

LONDON, Monday, AFP