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Besides Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are favourites to win the World Cup - according to leg-spin legend Shane Warne.
Warne, who retired from Test cricket as its leading wicket-taker in January, claimed that Australia would shrug off their recent poor one-day form once the competiton gets underway.
Both England and New Zealand inflicted five successive one-day defeats upon Australia in the recent Commonwealth Bank and Chappell-Hadlee series.
The 37-year-old failed to mention England, but rated the Black Caps alongside 1996 winners Sri Lanka as the sides most capable of keeping Australia from a third straight World Cup success.
"I think New Zealand and Sri Lanka are two of the danger sides," said Warne, who has not played one-day cricket for Australia since testing postive for a banned diuretic prior to the 2003 World Cup.
"I just like the way they play. I reckon they're a chance with the small grounds and the way the wickets will play. I'm sure they'll be a very good chance.
"But I don't have any doubts whatsoever about the Australian side. They'll be fine.
"They've still been making 350, so if they keep making those sort of scores I'm sure they'll be okay.
"If they can sort a few little issues out and get their team right - the one they want in terms of selections - get their bowling right in the middle periods and in the end I'm sure they'll be fine."
Warne also tipped hosts the West Indies as an outside bet, but was rather less effusive on the chances of South Africa - who play Australia in a Group A fixture on March 24.
"The West Indies always seem to do well in these sorts of tournaments and the ICC Champions Trophy, so they're a bit of an outside hope," he continued.
"It's their home country too so they'll play better there.
"But I don't think South Africa are a chance. They don't have much flair. They're very regimented.
"I know they're rated the number one side in the world at the moment, but I don't think they're the best side in the world."
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Source: Sky Sports |
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