Aussies turn guns on South Africa

MELBOURNE, Jan 30 AAP - Shane Warne started the mind games for the cricket World Cup today, reviving the Australians' theme of a psychological hold over second favourite South Africa.

Australia does not play South Africa in its pool matches but the defending champions and the host nation are short-priced favourites to meet in the semi-finals or final.

Warne was keen to keep the South Africans on the back foot as the Australian side flew out for Johannesburg and the World Cup today.

"We've definitely got a psychological hold over South Africa," said Warne.

"The results prove that in all the different forms and the major games we've played against them.

"When it's got to the crunch we've managed to beat them or they've been in a winning situation and we've come back to win."

It was a none-too-subtle reminder from Warne of Australia's famous tied 1999 World Cup semi-final against South Africa at Edgbaston, in which a last over run-out allowed the Aussies to advance to the final.

Australia has beaten South Africa in both subsequent Test series between the two nations, with the memory of the 1999 World Cup an oft-used ploy by the Aussies to rattle the Proteas in close matches.

Leading bookies have the two as clear favourites - Australia at 11-8 with British bookmaker William Hill and South Africa 9-4. Next best is India at 8-1.

Opener Matthew Hayden said the 1999 result would work to Australia's advantage rather than South Africa's, despite the fact the host nation would be desperate for revenge.

But he warned that Australia should also aim to create a fresh psychological stick to beat South Africa with, and may find it at this World Cup.

"(The 1999 result) is our advantage. We've got up in that situation and used that in the past against them as well.

"But perhaps that's wearing a little bit thin as a strategy for Australia.

"We need to move on and look to really take them apart in some other way."

Middle-order linchpin Michael Bevan believes he could be fit for Australia's World Cup opener against Pakistan on February 11 in Johannesburg despite doctors saying he would probably miss the first two games of the tournament.

Bevan said his injured groin was responding well to treatment, but admitted Australia's second match against India on February 15 was a more likely option.

Australia's batting stocks for the Pakistan game would be boosted immeasurably if Bevan was fit, with Darren Lehmann out of the match because of his racial vilification suspension.

"The leg's coming along well, so fingers crossed I'll be ready for the first or second game," Bevan said.

"Every day it's improving which is a great sign.

"I think at this stage I'm looking to the India match, but if all goes well, I'd like to think Pakistan's not out of reach as well."

The team is due to arrive in Johannesburg tomorrow morning Australian time.