St. Peter's: A little over two weeks into the World Cup and pre-tournament talk of it being the most open in recent times seems, in hindsight, misjudged.

There's almost a month to go — time enough for another rethink and shift of stance — but Australia has pulled away from the rest.

Ricky Ponting's side has won all its four games, and already seems set for a semifinal spot. Moreover its closest rivals haven't yet looked like challenging: South Africa was defeated by Australia in the group stage; Sri Lanka, who many experts predict will play Australia in the final, lost a close Super Eight contest to South Africa.

`Funny game'

Ponting lost no time in letting everyone know that his was the side to beat.

"Two weeks ago everyone said we weren't frightening, now all of a sudden we are again — it's a funny game," said Ponting.

"Our squad hasn't changed in that time. You hear about other sides saying they don't fear us, and don't fear anything we have to offer. Well, it's all right saying that, but you have to go out there and play a certain brand of cricket to back that up. So far they haven't done that.

"We've been able to beat teams pretty comfortably over the years, but one thing about us is that when the close games have come around that is when we've been at our absolute best," he said. "There are a lot of champion players in this side who are at their best when it gets tight."

Australia may have been at the receiving end of the four highest successful run chases in one-day cricket — sparking debate that its bowling strength had waned — but Ponting chose to remind his critics of another record.

"Going back a year ago, we had some sort of record that sides chasing 220 or so against us didn't get them. We're bowling well against good batting sides, so you have to hang in there for an opportunity to present itself — or create an opportunity. That is what we have done in the last couple of games."

That a player of Matthew Hayden's ability had to fight hard to make the World Cup squad shows why Australia is the barnstorming side it is.

Hayden pleased

"It took a lot to get (back) into this position — and I'm just very pleased for the supporters, selectors and Ricky that it is paying off," said Hayden, who has made back-to-back centuries in the World Cup.

"I said when I got dropped a couple of years back that I didn't feel I was ready to let the game go — that world-class players play both forms of the game. I'm just very happy that it's coming off right now. It's a special side to be a part of — and it's never meant to be an easy thing to play for Australia."

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