Two-time defending champion Australia has been a juggernaut at the Cricket World Cup, and is a heavy favourite over Sri Lanka in Saturday's championship final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Australia has dismissed every challenge thrown at it, posting 10 consecutive victories to extend its World Cup winning streak to 22 and reach its fourth straight final.

Australia's Ricky Ponting takes a swing against Sri Lanka on April 16.
(Aman Sharma/Associated Press)

"When the big games come, Australia raises its performance," Australian captain Ricky Ponting said.

Sri Lanka, which impressed with an 81-run victory over New Zealand in Tuesday's semifinal, lost twice in the Super 8s stage — to Australia and South Africa — and narrowly edged England by two runs in a third.

"There are fans out there wanting us to be challenged more," Ponting said. "But there is nothing we can do about it, we are actually challenging ourselves.

"We've been building our performance and can improve further in the final. We have maintained very high standards during this World Cup."

But Ponting, who ranks third in scoring in the tournament, knows Sri Lanka has history on its side, having defeated Australia in the 1996 World Cup final.

"We certainly can be beaten if we do not do things well," he said. "But there is no doubt that our skills in this tournament have been exceptional."

Matt Hayden has been the most prolific batsman at the World Cup, scoring 621 runs from nine innings, and Glenn McGrath is the top-ranked bowler with 25 from 10.

People talk about the domination of Matthew Hayden, but we don't approach cricket like that," said Sri Lankan bowler Muttiah Muralitharan. "We have the Sri Lankan style of playing cricket and Australia has the Australian style of playing cricket.

"We know our side. We know how to win matches the way we play.

"If we go in the way they play, we are going into a trap. We have our own plans … and some days it succeeds [and] some days it doesn't."

McGrath able to adjust

"I can see if a batsman is coming at me and I can change at the last second," McGrath said. "I have been going into the games with very good game plans and executing them reasonably well.

"Everything's gone right. With one more game to go, if they feel they want to come at me, I feel I can adjust."

McGrath, a dominant figure in Australian cricket the past 14 years, plans to retire following Saturday's final, win or lose.

"I have got a lot of memories here in Barbados," he said. "The perfect way to finish would be with another five-for, a win, walk off, and happy days."

"When he is done and dusted, there is a lot of good memories," Ponting said. "Hopefully, we can take another good memory from this game."

With files from the Associated Press