Power hitting crucial : Hayden

Hayden feels that power hitting in the first 15 overs is important in this WC.

Hayden and Gilchrist launched a blitzkreig and hit the ball out of the ground in the last WC and that proved to be Australia's trump card.

"Gilly and I established ourselves as a great opening partnership and a really consistent partnership as well."

"Opening is still based on the same principles of power hitting and India's (Gautam) Gambhir and (Virender) Sehwag do that well. They are definitely the best. I think they are the most powerful unit.

"But I feel (Shane) Watson is also going to play a big part in this World Cup.""Getting off to a good start in the first 15 overs before the wicket starts to deteriorate is going to be critical during the World Cup," said the Aussie master batsman.

Steyn and Morkel represents the most deadly fast attack in the world and can be lethal on the placid subcontinental pitches.

"I have a good feel about the Sri Lankan attack of (Lasith) Malinga and (Nuwan) Kulasekara as well," Hayden said.

"Those two sides can be very damaging with the new ball and particularly South Africa.

"Sri Lanka and India I think are the most balanced units considering their spin options. I think (Muttiah) Muralitharan is naturally world class.

"He has been in World Cup finals before and this year I think is a big chance for Sri Lanka."