Feb. 2: Matthew Hayden is among a select few who does not know what it is to return empty-handed from a World Cup campaign. In 2003 and 2007 Hayden was the bulwark on which Australia scripted their success. The veteran shared his recollections in an exclusive chat.

Excerpts:

Q: Which team will be your top pick for the World Cup and why?
A: India, Australia, Sri Lanka and South Africa should make the semi-finals. I would pick India as the red-hot favourites among the four. I also expect England to be in the mix but if two from the top four fail to make the final, I would be surprised. Given the conditions it is the depth in batting and fielding strength that will decide the fortune in this edition. These sides have the bases covered in those areas and will be tough to beat.

Q: The defending champions have slipped a bit, will they have the same impact in this edition?
A: What Australia lacked was a leader for the bowling unit. The return of Brett Lee has plugged that hole. He brings the velocity and stability to the attack. The likes of Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger revolve better when Lee is around.
As a fielding unit Australia look shaper and will certainly one of the teams to watch out for. Shane Watson who has done extremely well in the IPL here will also be a vital cog.

Q: How important it is to come into the World Cup with a winning momentum?
A: The success against England will be a huge boost for Australia and the same is the case with teams like India and South Africa.
Winning is like a drug and once you have tasted it you keep gunning for more. Coming in with good form will help the teams in a big way.

Q: Will the lack of a match-winning spinner be a handicap in the sub-continent?
A: Australia have had a problem after Shane Warne. Nathan Hauritz adds a lot to the side but it remains to be seen whether he makes it. For teams relying on pace, they should be able to mix it with subtle variations to succeed.
Teams that have good spinners will definitely hold an edge.

Q: A majority of experts consider India the top team; do they have it in them to go all the way?
A: The difference lies in M.S. Dhoni’s leadership and his ability to galvanise this side. The combination has the right blend of experience and youth. Sachin Tendulkar will be the crucial factor. Gautam Gambhir to me is the key element in the top-order and everyone knows the kind of destruction Virender Sehwag can cause. Power will be an important element in this World Cup and India have an abundance of it in the middle order.
The ability of Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina and Yusuf Pathan with the ball gives India a clear edge.

Q: This could probably be Tendulkar’s last shot at the premier event. Is it justifiable to base a player’s greatness on whether he has been a part of a Cup-winning team?
A: I have always believed that great players don’t make great teams. Sachin is the greatest of the modern era and Brian Lara was another genius who did not even come close to a World Cup win. It is easy for me to comment as I was part of a successful team. Though it is not fair on the individual, the World Cup remains the most iconic series in cricket and for a player like Sachin it is important to tick that box for his resume to look complete.