Graeme Swann says England would relish the chance to play Australia in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy final on Monday.

After suffering one embarrassment after another in the recent series against Australia, England have been a side transformed since arriving at altitude, dismantling the Sri Lanka spin attack before outmuscling South Africa, the hosts.

England had already qualified for semi-finals before their defeat by New Zealand yesterday and will face either Australia or Pakistan in the first semi-final at Centurion on Friday.

"It's a strong belief," Swann said. "Coming into this I don't think anyone had realistic ambitions of us winning but the first two games proved we can and has strengthened our belief.

"We don't make the tournament predictions. We knew if we turned up and played decent cricket for two games we would get into the semi-finals and that is what we have done."

Australia thrashed England 6-1 in the recent NatWest Series but Swann claimed a five-wicket haul as a whitewash was averted in the final match at the Riverside.

"We are on the up against Australia. The last time we played them we hammered them." Swann joked. "I would love to face Australia in the final. It's the old enemy and everyone seems to get more interested in those games."

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior has missed the last two games through a virus but is expected to return to training tomorrow. Meanwhile, Stuart Broad, who claimed four wickets against the Black Caps, felt soreness in his left buttock and was due to be checked by medical staff today.