(Repeating yesterday's SPD 63)

St Peter's, Antigua, Mar 28 (UNI) Australia captain Ricky Ponting today issued a veil warning to other World Cup title contenders that they should not underestimate the defending champions but rather start fearing his side.

Three-time winners Australian have so far shown an awesome form in this tournament and Ponting sent out an ominous warning to other contenders, saying his side has not exceeded its own expectations.

''We have read about how sides don't fear us, but they have to back up that talk with their performances, and they have not done that,'' the Aussie run machine told mediapersons after his team overwhelmed the West Indies by 103 runs in their opening Super Eight league match.

''It's still very early in the competition, but if we keep stretching ourselves and if we keep working hard, I can't see why we can't improve further. That's what international sport is all about.

We have played some excellent cricket and made a few statements along the way as well.'' Asked if he was surprised when the home side put them in, he replied, ''It is well known that batting first is our favourite way of playing. A lot of the other teams opt to bowl first, especially if it is a day game, because the thinking is that the only time the conditions will be in favour of the bowlers is early on, when the track is fresh.'' ''The flip side of it is that if we post a big total, it will take an exceptional effort to chase it down. In some ways, they are putting themselves under pressure by bowling first,'' the 2003 World Cup-winning captain said.

He lavished praise on opener Matthew Hayden for his sterling knock of 158 and also commended his bowlers for doing a wonderful job.

''We clicked well in all departments of the game.

Matthew was simply superb and the bowlers did what was expected from them. A job well done,'' he said.

Ponting said the win will not make his team complacent and underestimate Banglsdesh against whom they play their next match.

''You just can't afford to relax at this level of competition,'' he quipped.

''We need to improve with every match, it is a big stage, it is a World Cup and one can't just survive by his past showing. Every match is a new outing and one has to give the best for that match.'' UNI