Inglis repays selectors' faith with his invaluable knock

Josh Inglis has justified Australia's biggest selection shock of the World Cup, showing experience well beyond his limited international career to help his side into the final.

The winner of the battle few saw coming between him and Alex Carey, Inglis played the best knock of his 29-match international career on Thursday night against South Africa.

Carey's axing as Australia's one-day wicketkeeper after the opening game of the tournament was heavily scrutinised by past players.

Australia had never dropped a wicketkeeper midway through a World Cup and the fact it came after one game raised eyebrows.

Inglis also failed to make significant impact afterwards with a 58 against Sri Lanka and 38 against New Zealand his only scores above 20 in the tournament.

But the 28-year-old stood up when it mattered most on Thursday night.

Inglis' 28 off 49 balls may not have appeared to be much to bleary-eyed Australians when they awoke on Friday morning, but it was crucial.

The Western Australian came to the wicket when his side had lost Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell in quick succession, with the spinners making the ball fizz on a deteriorating pitch.

It looked increasingly likely Australia would fall victim to another subcontinent collapse.

But Inglis held his nerve and looked far more composed than some of Australia's more experienced batters who had come and gone.

The right-hander was able to pick the wrong-un of left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, and navigated Keshav Maharaj safely.

He played well back in his crease to Shamsi, and his 37-run sixth-wicket partnership with Steve Smith stabilised the innings for Australia.

Inglis was eventually bowled by a Gerald Coetzee yorker, but by then the required runs were down to 20 and victory looked more in hand before Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins got Australia home.

"He just played that beautifully," Cummins said of Inglis's innings. 

"We had a heap of time and he looked in total control out there against two really good spinners on a tough wicket."

Inglis was not alone as an unsung hero in Australia's win beyond the shining lights of Travis Head (2-21 and 62), Josh Hazlewood (2-12), Starc (3-34) and Cummins (3-51).

David Warner was brilliant in the field and can still lay claim to turning Australia's tournament with his two boundary catches against Sri Lanka.

Marnus Labuschagne also excelled as a fielder in the ring early as Australia built pressure, while Glenn Maxwell's 0-35 in the middle overs was crucial.

2023 ODI World Cup Finals

First semi-final: India beat New Zealand by 70 runs

Second semi-final: Australia beat South Africa by three wickets

November 19: Final, India v Australia, Ahmedabad (D/N), 7.30pm AEDT