Brett Lee faces a difficult job to force his way back into a rampant Australian side who are fully justifying their status as hot favourites for the ICC Champions Trophy.
Glenn McGrath, back to his cutting-edge best after overcoming his injury problems, and Michael Kasprowicz both contributed damaging three-wicket bursts in the impressive seven-wicket win over New Zealand at The Oval on Thursday, where Jason Gillespie weighed in with a wicket and a catch.
But skipper Ricky Ponting hinted that the door could open for Lee, the odd man out of Thursday's pace attack, if Sri Lanka were to beat England in Friday's showdown to decide Pool D at Southampton's Rose Bowl.
Australia play the winners in the first semi-final at Edgbaston on Tuesday and, lauding the performances of McGrath and Kasprowicz, Ponting admitted: "It will make it a little bit tough for Brett - but that is not ruling him out of a semi-final berth.
"We will pick the team according to the conditions and if we happen to play Sri Lanka in the semi-final he could play because he has a very good record against them."
McGrath, closing in on 300 one-day international wickets, has bounced back from two ankle operations last year but Ponting insisted he never had any doubts that the man rated the world's premier pace bowler for some time would return in style.
"He's going along quite well as this result showed. Glenn is one of the greatest fast bowlers ever to play the game and I knew he wouldn't let us down," said the skipper.
McGrath's burst of three wickets for three runs in the space of 19 balls put the skids under New Zealand, reducing them from 30-0 to 49-3, and Ponting said: "He bowled beautifully. The first three wickets were a big part of us getting the win."
Queenslander Kasprowicz, whose introduction to the attack began with a stint of three for 13 in 20 balls, continued the demolition of New Zealand's top order and his captain said: "He's averaging about 10 per wicket in one-day cricket and they are very good stats."
Add a formidable batting line-up - including yesterday's match-winners Andrew Symonds, who hit a hurricane 71 not out, and Damien Martyn, with 60 not out, who shared an unbeaten stand of 100 to see their side home in style - and the Aussies are a team for everyone to fear.
"Andrew's batsmanship has improved so that makes him a tough opponent," said Ponting who had a special word for Martyn, often the unsung hero of the team.
"Damien is one of the underrated players but when you see him bat he looks one of the best players ever to walk on to a field," was his fulsome praise.
Ponting is not getting carried away with his side's success, which he puts down to hard work.
"We are a well-prepared team that has a lot of skill and some very good players but it only takes a few individuals not to be on their game and we can be vulnerable on any given day," he warned.
But Ponting's assessment of his side's current form will send shivers down a few backs.
"We have just got to keep doing things to the best of our ability and give ourselves the chance to perform to the highest level.
"New Zealand are a good side and yesterday was pretty close to that."