The Australian team has rubbished a report that its two opening batsmen, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin, have been scrutinised for potential spot-fixing in the cricket World Cup match against Zimbabwe.

India's national wire service, the Press Trust of India, reported that the International Cricket Council has launched an investigation into the Australian pair because of their slow-scoring start in the match against Zimbabwe on February 21 - although it erroneously reported it related to the Australia-New Zealand match on February 25. Specifically, it alleged the spot-fixing element related to Australia only making five runs in the first two overs.

Shane Watson and Brad Haddin talk between overs against Zimbabwe. Credit:Getty Images

Australian team manager Steve Bernard, who last week had to contend with false stories in the Indian media that Australia captain Ricky Ponting had smashed a TV with his bat, said the story was "the silliest thing I've heard this week - and I've heard a lot of silly things since I've been here".

"I've just heard the story a moment ago and I'm not sure how to respond, except to say it would make a cat laugh. It's the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard in my life that a side can be 0-5 after two overs and that that's suspicious," Bernard said in Colombo, Sri Lanka, during a training session.