How multiple untimely injury blows will affect Australia in the semi-final clash against England

In a game where so much depends on skill and temperament, the role of luck and destiny cannot be overlooked.

Luck can be a really funny customer at times. There was a time when no matter how hard they tried, Australia couldn't win a match. The fortunes reversed and they went on a 10-match ODI winning streak and absolutely crushed England in the group stage encounter.

However, the team is wobbling a bit right now, when it matters the most. They did not play their best cricket in the last league match against South Africa. Although their batting took them close, it was the bowlers who did not use the new ball to the best of their ability and also copped some blows towards the end of the Protea innings.

Four injuries within two days

Right before their last match, two of their batsmen were injured in the nets. While Shaun Marsh was ruled out of the World Cup with a broken arm, Glenn Maxwell managed to be fit in time and was included in the XI.

During the match, Australia suffered twin blows. Usman Khawaja pulled his hamstring and would do well to be fit before the Ashes.

"Ussie's got a hamstring strain so he'll be out for probably three to four weeks which is a real shame but we have to work hard on getting him up for the Ashes now. Such a pity for him, he's been so integral to how we've been playing. Like Shaun I feel sad for him that he's going to miss the World Cup semi-final," Australia coach Justin Langer told the media.

Marcus Stoinis, who had earlier missed a match due to a side strain suffered another one and is not a certainty for the semi-final. "Marcus is the same, got another strain in his other side actually so we are working through that at the moment and we'll have to make a decision on him in the next 24 to 48 hours," Langer added.

The Aussies have called in Matthew Wade in place of Usman Khawaja after roping in Peter Handscomb for Shaun Marsh. They have kept Mitchell Marsh on standby for Marcus Stoinis. Wade has been in scintillating form and is likely to be picked in the middle order ahead of Handscomb.

Most of Wade's runs in the Big Bash League as well as for Australia A have come at the top of the order. It would be interesting to see how he adjusts in the middle order, where churning the strike becomes a major part of your job requirement.

Australia's incredible resurgence

As opposed to a period of play where the Aussies managed to win only two out of 13 games, they looked almost unbeatable coming into the World Cup till India broke their 10-match winning streak.

Skipper Aaron Finch, who at one point was struggling to put bat to ball as balls coming into him proved to be his nemesis continually, scored a couple of centuries against Pakistan. He has not lost touch since and has scored more than 500 runs in the World Cup already.

David Warner had a terrific IPL and slotted right back along with Finch at the opening spot, a combination which had been so successful for them in the past. Warner is currently the second-highest scorer of the tournament.

In Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja, they have brilliant middle-order players who can rotate the strike regularly. Glenn Maxwell remains a match-winner as always. The real surprise package has been the coming of age of wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey who has bailed them out of trouble many a time in this tournament.

With the return of Mitchell Starc, the Australian bowling got a much-required edge, as Starc has picked up wickets, both at the top, in the middle and towards the end. He has basically been thrown the ball whenever the team has been in choppy waters and almost invariably, the left-arm quick has helped his team seal the match.

Can the Aussies get the better of a rejuvenated England?

After to back to back losses against Sri Lanka and Australia, England have bounced back and looked imperious against India and New Zealand. Australia, who ended at the second place on the points table after losing their last group match to South Africa, looked a little wobbly.

Injuries to a couple of Australia's front line players might play in the favour of England as the two teams gear up for the second semi-final, to be played at Edgbaston on Thursday. 

©Cricket World 2019