BULAWAYO (Zimbabwe), Feb 23: Australia captain Ricky Ponting has played down suggestions his side could go through the World Cup unbeaten, despite their impressive start to the tournament.

The West Indies achieved the feat in 1975 and 1979 but that was in the days of an eight-team event with just three qualifying matches, a semifinal and a final.

If Australia are to match that feat it would mean 11 straight wins, and although they have looked awesome in disposing of Pakistan, India and Holland Ponting refused to look that far ahead on the eve of the world champions’ Group ‘A’ match against Zimbabwe.

“We haven’t spoken about it,” he told reporters following a practice session at the Queen’s Club Ground on Sunday afternoon.

“All I do know is that we are playing very good cricket, there is a great feeling amongst the team and individuals are really putting their hands up and doing the business and that is all you can ask of a team and any individual players,” Ponting added.

“We will just keep preparing ourselves as best we can and take the field with an obvious aim and see what happens from there.”

Australia have only ever lost once to Zimbabwe in 19 matches, that defeat coming in their first meeting at the 1983 World Cup, when they were upset by a side inspired by all rounder Duncan Fletcher, now the England coach.

Despite that record, Ponting said he had a healthy respect for the co-hosts, a fact illustrated by the way Australia have opted for what he called “our best line-up at the moment.”

Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee and Brad Hogg, all missing from the last match against Holland, are back in the side for Monday’s game.

“We have always had a fair amount of respect for Zimbabwe as they are a side that always gives 100 percent,” said Ponting.

“They might not be the most talented side in the world but you always get a fight when you play against them,” he added.

That unit delayed its arrival into Zimbabwe by 48 hours and will depart on a charter flight straight after the match, all measures designed to ease fears over player safety as a result of political and economic tensions in the country.

Ponting said the issue had been off the players’ agenda for some time now but it was clearly something the local authorities were taking seriously, as could be seen by the presence of a military helicopter accompanying the team bus from the airport.

For Australia, one more win would guarantee them a place in the Super Six, while Zimbabwe, after defeat by India, are desperate for a win to maintain their challenge.

Zimbabwe are expected to name their side on the morning of the match with Grant Flower likely to play despite damaging his left index finger against India, although the injury will probably stop him bowling.

Teams (from):

ZIMBABWE: Heath Streak (captain), Andy Blignaut, Dion Ebrahim, Sean Ervine, Andy Flower, Grant Flower, Travis Friend, Douglas Hondo, Douglas Marillier, Brian Murphy, Henry Olonga, Tatenda Taibu, Mark Vermeulen, Guy Whittall, Craig Wishart