South Africa derail Australia on eve of semi-finals

Alex Carey could be a beneficiary of Australia's injury crisis at the business end of the World Cup, as they grapple with potentially making multiple squad changes ahead of their semi-final clash with England at Edgbaston.

After Shaun Marsh broke his arm on Thursday, Usman Khawaja looks likely to join him in being ruled out of the tournament after suffering a hamstring strain in their defeat to South Africa on Saturday while Marcus Stoinis is also under an injury cloud having hurt his right side.

Both Khawaja, who Finch admitted was "not looking great", and Stoinis will go for scans on Sunday (United Kingdom time) before the team departs for Birmingham ahead of their semi-final on Thursday.

Stoinis suffered a left side strain earlier in the tournament but appeared to be clutching at his right side on Saturday. The allrounder is set to get both sides x-rayed on Sunday. But it is understood his injury was not a factor in him bowling only three overs against South Africa.

The only positive news for Australia was Finch confirming there was no injury issue for Mitchell Starc, who aggravated his right ankle after an awkward landing in the Old Trafford pitch's footholes.

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Peter Handscomb, Marsh's replacement in the 15-man squad, looms as a likely inclusion should Khawaja and/or Stoinis not be deemed fit, while Mitchell Marsh and Matthew Wade, who are with the Australia A squad in England, could also be considered.

Australia toyed with the idea of promoting Carey up the order against the Proteas and the wicketkeeper only strengthened his case after hitting a brilliant 69-ball 85 to singlehandedly keep Australia in the hunt for an unlikely victory.

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"That was something that was discussed leading into this game," Finch said of elevating Carey from No.7. "It will be discussed leading into the next game, no doubt.

"He's played a couple of crucial innings for us in some difficult circumstances and difficult conditions.

"That game at Lord's on a used wicket against New Zealand was a brilliant run-a-ball 71. And today he played an outstanding knock and couldn't get us quite over the line.

"That partnership with Davey was outstanding and we'll look at everything to come up with the best XI to win against England on Thursday."

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Carey now has more runs than any other No.7 in World Cup history, with 329 at 65.80. His strike-rate, a concern for some ahead of the tournament, is second only to Jason Roy among the top-20 most prolific batters in the tournament.

Handscomb, who made the four-and-a-half-hour drive from Australia A's current base in Brighton to Manchester in his wife Sarah's rental car late on Thursday, is in line to play his first ODI in three months.

The right-hander is averaging 43.54 with a strike rate of 98.15 in 13 ODIs this year and struck his maiden ODI century against India in February, before playing a key role in Australia's 5-0 series whitewash over Pakistan in the UAE.

"We will know more about who is available in the next couple of days and what replacements look like," said Finch.

"But Pete, every time he's had an opportunity to play for Australia he's done really well and played some crucial innings for us in India and in the UAE so he's ready to go if needed."

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Wade hasn't played international cricket since October 2017 and Marsh, who began the summer as the Test team's vice-captain and finished it on the outer in all three formats, hasn't played an ODI since January last year.

Finch stressed the team's versatility remains its strong suit.

"We have talked about the flexibility the squad has had over the last four or five weeks, that everyone is ready to go at any stage, so that doesn't change regardless of what happens," he said.

"Everyone will be preparing as if they are going to play."

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: Australia lost to India by 36 runs

June 12: Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs

June 15: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs

June 20: Australia beat Bangladesh by 48 runs

June 25: Australia beat England by 64 runs

June 29: Australia beat New Zealand by 86 runs

July 6: Australia lost to South Africa by 10 runs

July 9: Semi-Final 1, India v New Zealand, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Australia v England, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE