McGrath says Aussie defeat a blessing in disguise

CRICKET: SYDNEY, Feb 10 (Reuters) - Australia's defeat to England in the first tri-series one-day final on Friday could be a blessing in disguise, according to fast bowler Glenn McGrath.

The Australians were hot favourites to win the first of the three finals and avenge their surprise loss to the same opposition a week ago, but produced one of their poorest displays of the season to suffer a four-wicket defeat.

McGrath, who was bowled for a duck, dropped a catch and failed to take a wicket, said Australia's embarrassing defeat was just the wake-up call they needed before the World Cup.

"Last night was probably one of the worst performances that I've been involved in for a long, long time," McGrath told reporters at Sydney Airport on Saturday. "Sometimes you need that, especially leading into a big series like the World Cup. "We let ourselves down last night but hopefully we can learn from it." McGrath said he was confident Australia would learn from their mistakes when they play England in Sydney on Sunday, needing to win to force a third and deciding match.

Reuters