McGrath confident form will return for World Cup

Australia's poor run of form should not be taken as proof they will struggle to defend their World Cup title in the West Indies, according to Glenn McGrath. Australia have now lost their last four one-day games and have just one more match to regain their momentum before leaving for the Caribbean next month.

McGrath, writing in his column for the Sunday Telegraph before Sunday's loss at Auckland, said being shown they were vulnerable might be a blessing in disguise for Australia. "Everyone was saying we were no chance before the previous World Cup, taking Michael Bevan away carrying an injury and losing Warney due to his drug suspension prior to the tournament," McGrath wrote.

"But we went through undefeated. We've got time to refocus and I know that when we get to the World Cup we are still going to be the team that everybody will fear. There's far too much talent in this team not to succeed, and everyone knows their role and the job ahead."

McGrath said the loss of Andrew Symonds and Brett Lee to injuries that could potentially stop them playing at the World Cup was a worry, but the team would be glad to regain Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrist after they were rested for the New Zealand tour.

"Maybe what has happened is a blessing," he said. "There's no use going to the World Cup having already peaked, and this way we know we have to work on our games and build up into some form over the first couple of matches."