Ponting pays tribute to awesome Aussies

Ricky Ponting hailed a hugely-accomplished performance from his Australia team in their 103-run World Cup Super Eight win over the West Indies.

Ponting recalled not just the runs down to Hayden (158) but an impressive display from his whole team - which relegated his opposite number Brian Lara's best efforts, in an admirable 77, to secondary status in a Windies innings which mustered only 219 all out.

"After the first half-hour, you probably would have thought 320 was out of the question," said Ponting. "But Matty obviously then played a terrific innings. The other guys chipped in around him, and our new-ball bowling was excellent as well."

The tournament favourites and cup holders are the first country to put four points on the board, by following up their Group A success against South Africa with a victory which has ended the hosts' 100% record.

West Indies never threatened, on a sunny reserve day at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, to approach an Australia total of 322 for six - built on Matthew Hayden's second successive cup hundred, before rain prevented a home reply on Tuesday.

Hayden himself could reflect with some satisfaction on his highly successful Cup campaign so far, having missed a half-century only once in four innings so far as Australia have racked up 300-plus in each attempt.

For the Queensland opener, it is a case of hard work well rewarded in a comeback made necessary when he was dropped from the one-day team following Australia's shock 2005 Ashes series defeat.

"I've had a lot of commitment and passion, first to get back into the one-day side - and in particular, to represent Australia at the World Cup is an enormous privilege and honour," said Hayden.

"It took a lot to get into this position - and I'm just very pleased for the supporters, selectors and Ricky that it is paying off."