Ricky Ponting breaks down how Aussies worked their way into contention at the Champions Trophy

The primary piece of context used for evaluating Australia’s ICC Champions Trophy credentials ahead of the tournament had been their absentees – the ‘big three’ of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood.

However, a historic run-chase against England and a washout against South Africa later, the Steve Smith-led side stand in good stead to qualify for the semi-finals.

While the Aussies' production in the field against England did little to dispel earlier concerns, conceding 351/8, chasing down the mega total with 15 balls to spare came as a big beaming positive.

But according to Aussie legend Ricky Ponting, things are falling into place even without their superstar bowlers.

Speaking on The ICC Review, the former Australian captain was buoyed by the fact the Aussies’ bowling brigade gained valuable tournament experience and were tested in the fashion that they were against England.

“That could be really good for a team going forward,” Ponting said.

“I was a little bit worried. But even though they had some injuries, every time Australia puts a team on the park, you know they're going to be very competitive.

“Winning a game like that when … it might've been 75-25 probably in England's favour going into the second innings, to be able to pull off a win like that. That's the sort of thing at the start of a tournament that can do wonders for a team.”

It’s Spencer Johnson, Nathan Ellis and Ben Dwarshuis attempting to fill the giant shoes left by Cummins, Starc and Hazelwood. And while Johnson and Ellis went wicketless against the English, copping a combined 105/0 from 17 overs, Dwarshuis took 3/66 from his 10 overs, a return that should fill the left-armer - who also happens to be a huge hitter down the order - with confidence.

Ponting also paid tribute to Josh Inglis, whose whopping 120* from 86 balls helped steer Australia’s successful run chase.

“Inglis was absolutely magnificent,” he continued.

“He's now made a hundred in every format for Australia and he's made a Test hundred only a couple of weeks ago and then his first one day hundred now. You talk about moments, well it doesn't ever become a bigger moment than that. That was a game on the line, the team needing him to stand up.

“The way that he went about it, the way that he went through the gears, the way that he was able to switch hit and hit powerfully to the leg side off the pace of Archer and Mark Wood. That was an unbelievable knock.”

Opener Matt Short helped Australia get their run chase going, scoring 63 off 66 balls, while later in the innings it was Glenn Maxwell that played an aggressive complimentary role in support for Inglis.

It was a display that neatly encapsulates how much quality remains present in this injury-hurt outfit.

They're batting lineup also features world class strokemakers Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.

Barring a freak string of results, the Aussies are one more win away from booking their place in the tournament’s semi-finals stage, joining India and New Zealand who have already emerged as the qualifiers out of Group A.

Australia takes on Afghanistan in Lahore on Friday in their final group-stage fixture.