Ponting unconcerned by losing run

This team generally lifts itself and plays its best cricket when there's some big games on the line Ricky Ponting

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said five straight defeats in one-day internationals would not diminish the World Cup holders' credentials.

Ponting and his squad flew to the Caribbean on Wednesday to defend the trophy they won in 1999 and 2003.

And the skipper said: "There's been a bit of negativity around the team over the last couple of weeks.

"But we'll be extremely hard to beat. I'm not that fussed that we're going in having lost our last five games."

Ponting conceded his team had not been "playing our absolute best" during their losing run at home to England and then in New Zealand.

But he added: "We've had up to six or seven of our top 11 players out, which probably hasn't been reported that much over the last couple of weeks.

"That should be able to bring the best out in the players.

"This team generally lifts itself and plays its best cricket when there's some big games on the line, and it doesn't get any bigger than a World Cup."

Before their losing run, and the ankle injury to pace spearhead Brett Lee which ruled him out of the tournament, Australia looked far stronger than the other teams at the World Cup.

But things have changed and Ponting conceded: "I know now that we're drifting favourites."

Key players, including Ponting, vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, all-rounder Andrew Symonds and batsman Michael Clarke have returned to the team after missing the New Zealand series.

Although Andrew Symonds (torn bicep) and record-breaking opener Matthew Hayden (broken toe) will miss the opening matches of the World Cup, Ponting is not concerned.

Australia are fortunate in that they kick off against minnows Scotland on 14 March and continue against the even weaker Netherlands four days later.

The showdown on 24 March with South Africa, who recently took over Australia's ranking as the top one-day side, is Australia's first major test.

Symonds and Hayden will aim to return for that match.