Sydney, Feb.12 : Australian fast bowler Stuart Clark has rejected suggestions that the world champions are running scared of their challengers.

Describing the charge as laughable, Clark reacting to Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene's claim Ricky Ponting's side was no longer the force it once was, said: "I keep reading that certain members of their team say we are scared and things like that ... I find that pretty much laughable."

"We are still the best team in the world," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

ANI