Nobody will beat us - McGrath

Glenn McGrath is convinced he will play in his fourth successive World Cup final © Getty Images

Glenn McGrath believes no side will threaten Australia in their push for a third successive World Cup, provided the defending champions keep up their current form. McGrath, who is poised to become the leading wicket-taker in World Cup history, said Australia had the ability to win every match in the tournament, as they did in 2003.

"If we go and play the way we have I can't really see any team getting close to us," he told AFP. "In any Australian sport it seems that attitude is carried right across the board." McGrath said his confidence was genuine, like when he correctly tipped a 5-0 win in the Ashes a few months ago.

"I don't say anything I don't believe," he said. "We've been so successful over such a long time, we know how to win, what we've to do."

He said the experience within the squad was a major factor in their belief. McGrath and Ricky Ponting have each played in the last three World Cup finals, Adam Gilchrist in the last two, while Andrew Symonds, Brad Hogg and Matthew Hayden also tasted success in the 2003 decider.

"When you walk on the field you just have to look around you, the guys that are walking with you," McGrath said. "There are some amazing players, some of the greats of all time. It does give you a lot of confidence."

McGrath has 54 World Cup wickets from his four campaigns and is one short of Wasim Akram's tournament record. However, McGrath said winning a third successive title with his team-mates was his main aim.

"Guys like Akram are sort of heroes of mine," McGrath said. "He is known as one of the best bowlers of all time. To finally go past him, if I get a couple of more wickets, that would be something special. It's nice to get little milestones along the way but they are not the be-all and end-all."

McGrath, who is farewelling international cricket after the World Cup, said he had no regrets about retiring and spending more time with his wife Jane, who has had cancer and a brain tumour. "If it was just about playing, I think I could continue all the time," he said.

"It's everything else that goes with it. The travel, the training, you name it, the time away from Jane and the kids. So I've been lucky enough to have 14 years at the top level so it's my turn to move on."

McGrath has the chance to break Akram's record when Australia take on Bangladesh in Antigua on Saturday. Should Australia win it will be their 17th consecutive victory in World Cup matches.