Ponting talks tough, asks opponents to perform

Australia captain Ricky Ponting has said talk of opposition teams having no fear of the world champions will be nothing more than hot air unless they perform on the pitch.

Bidding for an unprecendented third World Cup title in a row, Australia began their second phase Super Eight campaign with a commanding 103-run win against hosts West Indies yesterday in a match spread over two days because of rain.

It was a far cry from the form that saw Australia lose five one-dayers in a row - two at home to England in the CB series final and three on the trot to New Zealand in last month's Chappell-Hadlee campaign.

The latest success meant Australia, which won all their matches at the 2003 World Cup, has won all their matches in this edition.

"You hear about other sides saying they don't fear us, don't fear anything we have to offer," Ponting told reporters at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium after a victory set up by Matthew Hayden's Australian World Cup record 158. "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."

Ponting, clearly amused by the way perceptions of Australia had altered in such a short time, added: "Two weeks ago everyone said we weren't frightening. All of a sudden now we are again - it's a funny game.

"Our squad hasn't changed in that time. We have to keep stretching ourselves, and if we keep working hard I can't see any reason why we can't keep improving through this tournament."