McGrath says Aussie defeat a blessing disguise

SYDNEY, Feb 10 (Reuters) Australia's defeat to England in the first tri-series one-day final 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 today.

''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.

''To have something like that makes us all refocus again and realise what's important and get out there and do the job properly,'' he said.

''I'm not sure what it is but it definitely wasn't one of our better games.

''Hopefully we can turn that around come tomorrow and really put a good performance on the board.'' McGrath has extra motivation to ensure Australia win tomorrow with the match marking his final international appearance at his home ground after the lanky paceman announced he would retire after the World Cup in March and April.

''I want to finish on a very special note,'' he said.

''I only have to think back to the (fifth Ashes) test match, that was the perfect way to finish my test career. So hopefully the one-dayers can be very similar.'' REUTERS PM DS1217