Cricket: Ricky Ponting believes his Australia team have all the 'champion' ingredients required to make them World Cup winners again.
Ponting emerged from yesterday's 215-run Super Eight trouncing of Australia's fellow semi-finalists New Zealand, with confidence soaring for a last-four tie against South Africa in St Lucia on Wednesday.
The performances of Matthew Hayden — who hit a record-equalling third hundred of the campaign against the Kiwis — and fit-again Shane Watson were of particular note to a captain who has great faith in the ability and determination of his whole squad.
Watson, in his first match back after a calf tear, cashed in on Hayden's brutal top-order strokeplay to augment a position of strength by scoring 65 at more than two runs a ball as Australia raced to 348 for six at Queen's Park.
The Kiwis had no answer and were bowled out for just 133 in little more than half their scheduled overs, Brad Hogg taking four for 29.
Ponting, who himself made 66 in a 137-run stand with Hayden, had particular praise for the opener and Watson.
"It's no coincidence Matty got a hundred," said Ponting. "He batted for probably two hours in the nets the day before."
Such a willingness to graft leaves Ponting in no doubt his team want a third successive World Cup title for Australia every bit as much as he does.
"It makes my job a little bit easier. We are not going to leave any stone unturned," he said. "It's a very motivated team, with a lot of champion players and you don't have to motivate champion players."