A combined bid from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was the favourite to be named as host at the International Cricket Council's (ICC) annual conference in July, Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said.

"I think it's really difficult to say, at this stage we would say we're probably coming from behind," Sutherland said.

"At the same time ... all we can do is lay on the table our credentials.

"In very recent history Australia has hosted the Olympics, hosted the Rugby World Cup and with the Commonwealth Games coming on there's a proven track record of performance that stands us in good stead," he said.

Sutherland said Australia and New Zealand's facilities, track record of staging large sporting events and experienced sporting personnel were "really strong factors in our favour".

New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia officials negotiated for a month to produce a 258-page bid document handed to the ICC in Dubai on Tuesday.

The bid calls for matches to be held evenly in both countries but the host city of the final has yet to be decided, officials said.

Australia and New Zealand previously jointly hosted the ICC World Cup in 1992 when the final was held in the southern Australian city of Melbourne.

The two countries previously combined to bid for and win the 2003 Rugby World Cup. But the arrangement ended in acrimony when a contractual dispute over stadium sponsorship in New Zealand saw all games played in Australia.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden said New Zealand Cricket and Cricket Australia had a strong relationship and were prepared to work as partners to host the matches in February and March 2011.

"We are confident that we have a world class bid," he said.

"Both countries have the capability to host an outstanding event. We have fantastic venues, solid infrastructure and professional staff who are experienced in event management at the highest level."

Defending champions Australia will be among the 16 teams contesting the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies from March 11.

Meanwhile Reuters adds from Karachi, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have asked the ICC to extend Tuesday's deadline for bids to host the 2011 World Cup.

"We have asked the ICC to extend the date to March 20. The heads of all four boards will meet in Chandigarh, India on March 12 to finalise the joint bid," Pakistan Cricket Board director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf told Reuters.

Altaf said the four countries had prepared a letter expressing their interest in hosting to the ICC but not their final official bid.

"We need to sort out some matters with the ICC relating to certain conditionalities asked for from bidding countries. We have to get clearance from our governments. That is why we have asked for a delay in final date of submission," Altaf said.