Australia can dominate World Cup, says Shane Watson

ALL-ROUNDER Shane Watson says Australia will start the chase for a fourth consecutive World Cup with reinforced confidence that no obstacle is too great to overcome.

The newly crowned two-time Allan Border Medallist said a commanding 6-1 ODI series win over England with a depleted side and the memory of also winning the 2009 Champions Trophy while injury-weakened had provided great self-belief.

The Australians will jet off for the World Cup on Wednesday night with injury clouds over numerous players.

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"The last international one-day event that we played, the Champions Trophy in South Africa, we were good enough to win with a pretty depleted side in a way,'' Watson said on Tuesday.

"There were a few guys out, Michael Clarke was out, a few of our quick bowlers were injured throughout that stage as well, so it was a very different looking side compared to what the World Cup (side) was in 2007.

"We've shown even recently we've been able to play some good one-day cricket, to be able to challenge the best teams in the world.''

Watson said most heartening was the successful chase for a mammoth target of 334 at the SCG last Wednesday night.

"To chase down such a big total, was a really big confidence-booster for us, to know that no matter what situation that the game is in, we can win.

"That is a big added bonus leading into the World Cup, because at some stage we're probably going to need to produce that (type of) performance.''

While captain Ricky Ponting (finger) has spoken positively about his readiness to play, batsman Mike Hussey (hamstring) and spinner Nathan Hauritz (shoulder) were under greater fitness clouds.

Watson backed Hussey to play a key role, even if he started the tournament on the sidelines.

"I've got my fingers crossed on Mike especially because he has been and is a very integral part of our make-up,'' he said.

Australia plays warm-up games against India on February 13 and South Africa two days later, both in Bangalore, before beginning their Cup campaign against Zimbabwe on February 21.

Meanwhile, Shane Watson says reducing the Sheffield Shield season would hurt Australia's performance in the Test arena.

Cutting back from the current 10 Shield games per state per season, plus the final, is one of the options under consideration as Cricket Australia works out how to fit in a revamped and expanded Twenty20 competition.

But Watson said his own experience suggested the Shield needed to remain at least, or Australia's Test prospects would suffer.

"I personally think so yeah, because you need to get good consistent cricket under your belt as well,'' he said.

"I know from a body point of view that you do have to get your body used to doing what it needs to do and that is playing consistent cricket for a longer period of time.

"Ten games of Shield cricket is a great challenge for your body to be able to get through.

"If you make the next step up to international cricket, the schedule is all year round, so it's something people need to get used to ... so let's hope that it does stay at 10 because I think it's really important.''

The CA board was meeting in Melbourne on Tuesday, with the format and scheduling of the new T20 competition one of the main agenda items.

Watson said while CA viewed a souped-up T20 tournament as very important, Shield cricket would always be the "backbone'' of Australia's success in the game.

"They need to try to find the balance so it's not out of kilter a bit with too much Twenty20 cricket.''