Hayden owes Ponting for World Cup dominance

Matthew Hayden says self-belief and the support of Ricky Ponting have been the keys to his remarkable World Cup streak. Hayden is the tournament's leading scorer with 580 runs and a record-equalling three centuries less than a year after being out of the side.

"I am here today because my skipper believed in me and I believed in myself and it's as simple as that," Hayden said ahead of Wednesday's semi-final against South Africa in St Lucia. "You often rise to the occasion and I have been no different. This story is nothing remarkable.

"It's the story of what it means to us to play for our country and the level of expectation that we first put on ourselves and then the rewards for playing good cricket for Australia. It's no coincidence that this side is on top of its game for long periods."

Hayden was dropped from the one-day outfit after the 2005 Ashes and watched Simon Katich, Phil Jaques and Shane Watson take his place at the top of the order before returning to the role full-time for the CB Series. "Like any player, I have had my fair share of ups and downs," he said. "Thankfully, I've stayed out of those lows, certainly they haven't extended."

Hayden said Australia had the best chance of winning the tournament and gaining a hat-trick of titles if they maintained the momentum of their unbeaten run. "We are a side which is at the top of its game and that gives you the best chance," he said. "Cricket is such a huge game with momentum and right now we have got so much momentum going into these final stages."

Hayden has been instrumental in giving his team solid starts with Adam Gilchrist, allowing the talented middle order to build on the gains. "Throughout this tournament the sides that have got in trouble were those who lost early two or three wickets, so Australia's batting plan is try and develop a good platform and go from there," he said. "I guess we are looking at how we can improve at this stage and that will start with the platform which Gilly and I, or our opening bowlers, create.

"We have played with great confidence and freedom. That has been part of our gameplan for a long period."

Hayden has emerged as a strong contender for the man of the series, but said winning the title mattered most. "I couldn't care less about player of the tournament," he said. "What we are here to do is to win the semi-final. If we win, then we go to the final and our objective will be to win the final.

"I have been happy with the way we have batted as a unit, not just myself. Every one of the top six has been outstanding and I am proud to be part of that. We have had some unbelieveable achievements."

Hayden, who smashed the fastest World Cup century off 66 balls against South Africa in St Kitts last month, said Graeme Smith's side could be the closest challengers. "Their work ethic is similar to ours and the freedom with which they play is similar to ours," he said. "I learnt a lot from my first tour of South Africa in 1994 as there were some close games.

"That was a baptism of fire for me, one I enjoyed very much. I have enjoyed the competition with them and I enjoy it probably more against South Africa than any other side."