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Australia way ahead - Glenn McGrath

Glenn McGrath believes that Australia will match their feat of 2003 and win every game in the World Cup, if they keep up their current form.

The reigning champions cruised to a 103-run victory over hosts West Indies in their opening game in the Super 8s, following a 100 per cent record in Group A which included a comfortable win over the world's current number one ranked side South Africa.

McGrath certainly feels that the Aussies have got over their pre-tournament blip and predicts that no other side has what it takes to stop them from making it a third World Cup triumph on the bounce.

The 37-year-old, who needs two wickets to overtake Wasim Akram as the leading wicket-taker in World Cups, told AFP: "If we go and play the way we have I can't really see any team getting close to us.

"In any Australian sport it seems that attitude is carried right across the board.

"I don't say anything I don't believe," he said. "We've been so successful over such a long time, we know how to win, what we've to do."

McGrath believes that the experience of the likes of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden within the squad will steer the Green and Golds to glory on April 28.

The veteran seamer continued: "When you walk on the field you just have to look around you, the guys that are walking with you.

"There are some amazing players, some of the greats of all time. It does give you a lot of confidence."

Australia are the strong favourites at 2.3 to lift the trophy in the Caribbean, ahead of South Africa at 5.3 and New Zealand at 6.

With nine wickets to his name so far, McGrath can be supported at 8.2 to finish the tournament as the leading wicket-taker.

McGrath's team-mate Brad Hogg and Sri Lanka's Lasith Malinga currently lead the way with 11 wickets apiece and they can be supported at 7 and 6.4 respectively, while Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan (with nine wickets) is on offer at 6.6.

30 March 2007 / About Editor