Hogg ready to fight back

The attention on Australia's attack has all been on the fast bowlers in the lead-up to the World Cup, meaning Brad Hogg's recent lack of wickets has slipped under the radar. Hogg has earned no dismissals from his last five one-day internationals but he maintains he is bowling better than ever.

"I'm pretty happy with the way I'm going," Hogg told AAP in St Vincent. "I haven't got any wickets in the last five games but results don't really show how you're bowling out in the middle. On days I've bowled my worst I've ended up with four wickets for 30 or 40.

"The way they're coming out, it's the best I've ever felt. I think I'm bowling the best that I've ever bowled in my whole career. I'm switched on a bit more now. I just want to do well and I'm more relaxed in every circumstance."

Hogg suffered from Australia's eagerness to try a five-pronged fast-bowling attack at the Champions Trophy, where he was given only two games. He was in the squad right through the CB Series but kept missing out as Cameron White was given an opportunity to prove himself.

When Hogg was called upon he took 2 for 16 against England but followed up with five wicketless games in Australia and New Zealand, though he sometimes bowled well without luck. His role in the World Cup is still unclear as Australia finalise their line-up but his form in the Caribbean is not promising: he has only one wicket from his six ODIs in the West Indies. Hogg was a key member of Australia's 2003 World Cup-winning squad and wants to find turn early to take some confidence into their title defence.

"I've always wanted to come to another World Cup and defend our title," Hogg said. "That was my main aim after 2003. You've just got to make sure you don't get too cocky. Whether they are picking the wrong'un or not, the batsman can get away with a couple of slogs and turn the pressure around. But I'm coping with that as I get older."