We will build momentum: McGrath

Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath said on Monday the home side would improve as the triangular limited overs series went on and likened Australia's slow start to their victorious 1999 World Cup campaign.

Australia opened the series with a 23-run loss to New Zealand at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday night and returned to the ground on Sunday to be beaten by South Africa by four wickets.

McGrath, who missed Sunday's game because of a one-match suspension for dissent, said the signs were positive for Australia despite being on the bottom of the table.

"The first match we let ourselves down, we played very poorly. Last night we didn't get the score we would have hoped for, but the way we fought when we bowled, there was good energy in the field," McGrath said.

"That was very heartening and hopefully we'll carry that into the next match and start winning a few.

"We haven't really sort of clicked, batting or bowling, but there's good signs there, we're improving every game.

"It's a bit like the (1999) World Cup. We started off very slowly but we got better every game, so if we continue to do that then we will be pretty happy."

Australia batsmen Matthew Hayden and Michael Bevan said on Monday poor batting was to blame for the home team's two successive losses.

"The batsmen haven't given our bowlers a great deal to bowl at, so we've got to bat better and then I think it will turn around," said Hayden, who made 10 on Sunday after his opening partner Adam Gilchrist made a first-ball duck.

Bevan said: "I think certain areas have let us down in the past two games with the batting.

"We've just go to make sure we get those areas right.

"It's important that one batsman in the top five probably gets a big score," Bevan added.

Australia host New Zealand in Sydney on Thursday. The Kiwis play South Africa in Hobart on Tuesday.

Chasing 200 to win against the Kiwis, Australia lost eight wickets for 78 runs to be all out for 176 in 42 overs.

Batting first two days later, Australia collapsed from 164 for four after 40 overs to 198 all out in the 49th over before South Africa responded with 199 for six in 48.3 overs.

Mail Cricket Editor