Marnus Labuschagne rides his luck all the way to the World Cup finals, but who will be the unlucky teammate that faces the axe?

The selection battle is on for the last spot in Australia's semi-final clash against South Africa in Kolkata - and two cricket legends want Marcus Stoinis dropped from the side in favour of Marnus Labuschagne.

Australia beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in their World Cup clash, with Labuschagne claiming two sensational run outs and two catches.

He slid and threw in the one motion to send Najmul Hossain Shanto on his way for 45, before exhibiting superman skills with a diving throw to find Mahmudullah short of his ground on 32.

Glenn Maxwell will return to the side after resting against Bangladesh, meaning somebody will be dropped for Thursday night's do-or-die match with South Africa at Eden Gardens.

Both Ricky Ponting and Shane Watson believe it shouldn't be Labuschagne.

'If Steve Smith had passed his fitness test, which he didn't, then Labuschagne was the one missing out and Stoinis was staying in the side,' Ponting said.

'So I think at the moment Australia feel that is their strongest team, without Labuschagne in it.

'But if you actually look at the numbers through this series, he hasn't done a bad job, second leading run scorer ... and I know the most important phase for Australia through this tournament they haven't got right yet is their middle order batting. They haven't got that right and they need to fix that quickly.

'If you're going to win the World Cup, you're going to have to fix those overs 11 to 40 because so far in the tournament they've lost 12 more wickets in that period of time in the tournament than what India have through the whole tournament, India have only lost 20 wickets through that phase.

'I probably would [retain Labuschagne]. I mean even today we've seen Australia have gone to Mitchell Marsh's bowling before they used Stoinis.'

Watson believes Labuschagne's skills would be vital should Australia have to bowl first against South Africa.

'He's someone who has done a very good job for Australia throughout this World Cup, and as well Marcus Stoinis hasn't set this World Cup alight yet,' Watson said.

'What we've seen in this World Cup, is if Australia end up batting second in a semi-final, that period with those two new balls swinging around, you do need your best technically equipped batters who can handle that moving ball.

'Marnus Labuschagne, with the Test skills, he's got the ability to be able to handle a moving ball.

'There is a chance that Australia will have to bat second under lights, and he's done a very good job of that throughout this tournament.'

Labuschagne wasn't selected in the original ODI squad, but after a bizarre run of injuries the Aussie star found his way into the side and has played in every game at the World Cup.

He has made 707 runs at 47.13 with a strike rate of 88.15, backed up by some stunning work in the field.

However, with a fully fit squad to choose from for the semi-final, Labuschagne's lucky run might finally be up.