DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) - West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has tipped Australia and South Africa to loom large in the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.

"Australia have been playing pretty well and South Africa are always difficult to beat at home," he told a news conference in Johannesburg ahead of the September 11 to 24 tournament.

"I see them as the favourites, but I don't discount ourselves."

Australia have dominated international cricket for more than a decade, winning the last three World Cups and losing just 38 of 215 Tests since losing the Ashes to England in January 1987.

South Africa have challenged Australia's superiority at times, but they have often been accused of choking under pressure against them.

All-rounder Shaun Pollock did not believe that charge would stick this time.

"There's no time to choke in Twenty20," he told a news conference in Johannesburg.

"Pressure and expectation are self-inflicted and we're just looking at the Twenty20 as another opportunity to walk away with a world title."

He said South Africa might feel less pressure to perform because of the imminent Rugby World Cup in France.

"Everything in the country is focused on the Rugby World Cup and I think the Springboks are the team that's feeling the pressure," Pollock said.

Australia have won three of the five matches they have played in the fledging 20-over format, while South Africa have two wins from five games.