'We're nowhere near our best' - Ponting

Ricky Ponting has sounded a warning to his World Cup opponents, saying his unbeaten team are still capable of raising the bar. "We'd like to think that we are nowhere near playing our best cricket just yet," he said. "I've been happy with what we have done so far and I'm not surprised at all by what we've done.

"None of the individual players in our side are surprised by what they have done. Matthew Hayden has had a great World Cup, Michael Clarke has been terrific so far and Shaun Tait has been very good. Until we get to the stage where some of our individual players are surprising themselves, or surprising me, then we have not played our best cricket yet."

No team has seriously tested Australia, who have eight points and are just one victory short of making it to the semi-finals. Australia are expected to be challenged in their last two games against Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

"It would be great [to be tested]," he said. "They are the two form teams, so it's really going down to the business end of the tournament. We have set very high standards. We have got some big games coming which make the event more exciting, makes our preparations very exciting as well."

Australia, who play Ireland on Friday, are likely to face their biggest test in Grenada on Monday when they clash with Sri Lanka. However, Sri Lanka suffered a setback when they lost Lasith Malinga to an ankle injury for the win over New Zealand.

"Malinga has been very important for them," Ponting said. "He and Chaminda Vaas have taken early wickets right through the tournament. He has been very good for them in the Powerplays.

"He has reverse-swung the ball well and nearly stole a victory against South Africa. He is a dangerous bowler and the conditions here suit these type of bowlers. But to be favourites, you have to have the depth in the side, and they have fast bowlers Dilhara Fernando and Farveez Maharoof."