Mr Cricket backs any five for World Cup - and rules out England's chances
Mike Hussey believes Australia are one of just five teams capable of winning the World Cup - and does not include England.
The Australians are the two-time defending champions but are in the middle of an alarming slump in form which has seen them lose their last five one-day internationals.
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Having gone down to England in the finals of the Commonwealth Bank Series, they were then whitewashed by New Zealand in the Chapell-Hadlee trophy.
However batsman Hussey, who skippered Australia in Ricky Ponting's absence against the Black Caps, is adamant they will be one of five challengers in the West Indies.
He said: "I think the South Africans are obviously a very, very well-drilled unit, Sri Lanka I think are going to be very dangerous, Pakistan on their day are dangerous and the Kiwis have shown that they've been playing some pretty consistent one-day cricket as well.
"There's pressure in international cricket. It's the World Cup, so there's going to be pressure on everyone, but we're looking forward to it.
"I think the Australian team in general thrives on pressure and so I think the best of the Australian team will come out."
Paceman Shaun Tait believes the return of Ponting and opening batsman Adam Gilchrist will have an immediate impact on the team's form.
He said: "If we win the first two games of the tournament that's all going to turn pretty positive, I'd imagine.
"I actually haven't had a chance to talk to the lads about it but I'm sure that they're not too worried.
"We've got Ricky (Ponting) and Adam Gilchrist coming back into the side so we'll be back as strong as ever."
Australia have been drawn alongside Scotland, Holland and South Africa in the group phase.
