Six members of Australia's likely line-up at the Kensington Oval were also present four years ago when they swept India aside by 125 runs.

It is that experience which captain Ponting, who hit a stunning unbeaten 140 that day in Johannesburg, believes could be a key factor when they look for their 23rd successive win and extend a 28-game unbeaten run in the competition.

"It's about execution and skills on the day and being able to execute your skills under the biggest microscope in this game," Ponting said.

"It doesn't get any bigger than a World Cup final and who settles best and earliest in the game is probably going to win.

"A lot of our players have been there and done this before in big games and I think that's extremely important. I think we saw a bit of that in the semi-final the other day.

"The know-how in this team of how to approach big games, and more importantly how to get the job done, is right there for us and that's why I'm so excited."

Ponting understandably believes experience will be far more crucial to the outcome than any mind games or psychology.

Australian newspapers were full of headlines about how Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene had tried to wind up Ponting by turning up over an hour late for a picture with the two captains posing with the trophy.

But he dismissed allegations that it was a deliberate attempt to unsettle him, adding: "It's not an issue.

"By the sound of things he just got caught in traffic on the way back from a game of golf in the afternoon so I take his word for it."

Instead, the Australian captain prefers to focus on a match which he has already labelled as "one of the biggest games of our cricketing lives" and still motivates him even after all his achievements in the game.

"This game doesn't get any bigger," he added. "For guys who have been around quite a while like myself, this is the reason you still play the game, to be involved in contests like this one.

"I've felt really good in every game I've played so far. I was disappointed with the way I got out against South Africa the other day but otherwise I've enjoyed the partnerships we've had at the top of the order.

"I've enjoyed Matty Hayden's game, Michael Clarke has been outstanding and to share those type of partnerships has been very enjoyable."

After dominating every match they have played in the tournament - including a seven-wicket victory over a weakened Sri Lanka side in the Super Eight - Australia are understandable favourites.

But Ponting insists they will not be taking victory for granted and will save any talk about a World Cup hat-trick until after the game.

He stressed: "We won't start jumping to conclusions because we've got a game to play and we'll worry about talking about three World Cups in a row and all that sort of stuff after that.

"We haven't even spoken about those sort of achievements. Not once in the last seven and a half weeks has this unbeaten run even come up amongst the team.

"It's been a reasonably long build up getting to this stage of the tournament and we've thoroughly enjoyed the last couple of weeks with some bigger games against New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the semi-final the other day and now this one.

"It's just a matter for us of getting out there and doing it all over again."

Australia are expected to name the same side which cruised past South Africa in the semi-final with all-rounder Shane Watson taking his place at number seven ahead of Brad Hodge.

Meanwhile, Mahela Jayawardene is promising the real Sri Lanka will turn up to try to win the World Cup.

Sir Lanka will have to overturn the form book and significant odds to hand Australia their first World Cup defeat in 29 matches on the biggest stage.

But captain Jayawardene is confident that if his team stick to their own successful formula they have it in them to prevent Australia winning the cup for an unprecedented third successive time.

"The most important thing for us is to play the brand of cricket we've been playing," he said.

"That's the best way to beat any side in the world - because if you go out of your zone and try to do something different you could end up in trouble."

Australia's run of World Cup success has left many concluding they are simply invincible - but Jayawardene cannot afford to believe anything of the sort.

"They haven't been pushed to the ropes yet. But this is a big match, a final - anything can happen," he insisted.

"We'll be giving it our best shot to see whether we can crack them.

"They're a good side, we all know that. But they're human - and over 100 overs, people will make mistakes. We just need to capitalise on that.

"You can have big-name players and lots of guys with big numbers, but it's all about how you turn up on the day to go out there and perform.

"We will definitely turn up."

Jayawardene is satisfied too that Sri Lanka will not forfeit any of the belief they need because of that seven-wicket defeat against Ricky Ponting and Co two weeks ago.

"To play them, you need to be very competitive from the very first ball," he said.

"They really do come hard at you in the first hour or so, whether you bat or bowl.

"You have to be prepared for that, especially in a final. I am sure we are quite capable of handling it."

Sri Lanka, who controversially fielded a team missing its three best bowlers the last time they played Australia, patently did not handle the occasion then.

"We made a lot of mistakes in that game, and you can't do that against Australia," said the captain.

"But I think we've learned our lesson."

Many more tutorials have gone into making Jayawardene's team the force they are - and he acknowledges the major part played by coach Tom Moody over the past two years.

Former Australia Cup-winner Moody has changed the way Sri Lankans prepare and hone their talents.

"Tom has been brilliant for us. As a group, we've always had the talent - but he has brought something different to the table," said Jayawardene.

"He's brought a toughness and has made sure we push ourselves; we all had the talent but never expected to push ourselves this far.

"He has a lot of experience as a World Cup winner, who knows how important it is to be tough mentally going into a game like this.

"A lot of our guys have improved a lot, and Tom has made a big difference."

Sri Lanka may be tempted to make one change from the team which beat New Zealand in Tuesday's semi-final, with bowling all-rounder Farveez Maharoof in contention to replace Dilhara Fernando - who was called for several no-balls and warned for running on the pitch at Sabina Park.