PORT-OF-SPAIN, (Reuters):

World top-ranked South Africa have laughed off Shane Warne's assertion that their style of play was predictable and that they had little chance of winning the 2007 World Cup.

"We had a bit of a joke about that," South African coach Mickey Arthur told Reuters in Port-of-Spain yesterday in reaction to the comments by the Australian leg-spinner.

"You could say that was just Shane Warne being Shane Warne."

The Australian Associated Press on Friday quoted Warne as saying, "I don't think South Africa are a chance.

"They're very regimented. I know they're rated the number-one side in the world at the moment but I don't think they're the best side in the world."

Lost touch with realities

Arthur suggested that retired Australian great Warne had lost touch with the realities of the current South African team.

"He's still stuck in the Hansie Cronje era," Arthur said with reference to the former South African captain, whose team built a reputation for consistency.

"We're a totally different team now with a totally different mindset."

South Africa won 99 of the 138 one-day matches they played under Cronje's command before he was banned for life in the wake of the exposure of his involvement in match-fixing. Cronje died in a plane crash on June 1, 2000.

Current captain Graeme Smith has led South Africa to victory in 44 of his 81 one-day internationals in charge.

Despite their status as perennial threats, South Africa have yet to win a World Cup after four attempts.

Australia will be attempting to complete a hat-trick of triumphs in this year's tournament.