Watson, Haddin key to Australia's World Cup success: Clarke

Clarke said the duo is developing into a sort of unit that could be key to winning the World Cup.

"I can see our opening partnership certainly providing that. I think Watto and Hadds are a wonderful combination. They suit each other. On any given day one can go off and the other can play that anchor role. Add Ricky Ponting into that top four and I think we have got a pretty good order," Clarke was quoted as saying by 'The Australian'.

Clarke believes there is still some work to be done on fine-tuning the approach and even taking the scoring rate up a gear while retaining wickets.

"The sub-continent conditions will really suit Watto and Hadds and I think over there the first 10 or 15 overs are going to be crucial. You need to get off to good starts," he said.
"That's the thing at the moment, our run rate's very good but we are probably losing too many wickets in the first 25 overs.

"In saying that, leading up to the World Cup I think that the first 15 overs, it will be crucial to go a little bit harder to maximise the newer ball and the two or three fielders out so it's hard one.

"At the moment I would like a few more wickets in the bank for the last 10 overs, but the preparation is going well and I think we have been getting off to good starts," Clarke,
who led the team in the ODI series against England in place of the injured Ponting, said.
In the previous two editions, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist did the job at the top of the order. The pair's approach towards the game clearly redefined the way other teams approached the one-day format.

Brett Lee's return to the side, and the sort of form that has made him one of the great one-day bowlers, is also heartening on the eve of the World Cup.

He was vital in 2003 but, in his absence in the 2007 tournament, the trio of Shaun Tait, Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken did the job.

Clarke believes that Lee brings a level of corporate knowledge to the attack that was so obviously missing in the Test series.

"I think it's his experience that we've really looked forward to having back in our team," the acting captain said.

"He's been the leader of our attack for a while and I think his experience and knowledge of one-day cricket plays a big part in our team.

"Brett's been a wonderful bowler for a long time.
"But he feels he has work to do before the World Cup, as we all do."