Ricky Ponting poses with the 1999 and 2003 World Cup trophies during the Australian cricket team's official portrait session in Sydney on Monday.

Australia, who begin their title defence against Scotland on March 14, have had a disappointing run-up to their World Cup campaign, with injury scares and losing six of their last seven One-Day Internationals. The World champions were also ousted from the No1 position in the ICC rankings after a 3-0 whitewash in New Zealand.

Their preparations received a body blow when pace spearhead Brett Lee was ruled out due to an ankle injury.

Despite all the problems, Australia will travel to the West Indies as slight favourites to lift the Cup. No team has managed to claim it thrice in a row.

Mike Hussey, who captained a depleted Australian side in New Zealand, is confident that his team will deliver when it matters.

"There's pressure in international cricket, it's the World Cup, there's going to be pressure on everyone, we're looking forward to it," Hussey told reporters on Tuesday.

"I think the Australian team in general thrives on pressure and so I think the best of the Australian team will come out."

Hussey also picked out South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka as main threats to Australia's Cup defence.

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