Australians were out of focus before World Cup: Buchanan

Sydney, May 4 (UNI) Outgoing Australia coach John Buchanan admitted that his players lost focus during this summer's Commonwealth Bank series and the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in New Zeland as they were eyeing the ultimate glory of cricket - the World Cup.

''During the Commonwealth Bank ODI series we trained harder ...

that made it difficult for players to feel fresh,'' Buchanan told 'The Australian'.

''We were looking for different teams and strategies to take to the West Indies, whether it was fast-bowling or slow-bowling strategies. That affected players in terms of selections and the way they were feeling about the team.' After Australia whitewashed England 5-0 in the Ashes, Buchanan told his players that he wants them to take their game to a new level for the World Cup.

''Once we finished the Ashes series there was a list of things I thought the players could improve on by five or 10 per cent. I presented it to them and said 'if we can do that I think we'll be a good show for the World Cup''' he said.

The 54-year-old Aussie, however, admitted that he was little concerned after the 3-0 lost against the Kiwis.

''We lost from winning positions. We scored runs but couldn't defend them. I guess I was always concerned that our bowling, at that point, wasn't capable of holding teams as often as we had,'' Buchanan said.

To add to it, injuries to key players like Andrew Symonds, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Mathew Hayden and Brett Lee made it even more worse for the World Champions just prior to the Caribbean mega event.

But for Ponting's men, everything was back in place after the victories against Zimbabwe and England in the practice matches at the start of the World Cup.

''It's unusual, you find both areas of your game playing as well as it did right through a tournament,'' said the three time World Cup winning Aussie coach.

Meanwhile, champion fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who bid adieu to the game after Auastralia won the World Champions tag for the third consecutive time, admits that lack of focus and preparation was the reason behind the defeats just before the World Cup.

''Preparation at the end of the one-day series here and in New Zealand wasn't that flash,'' McGrath said, adding, ''It just goes to show you've still got to prepare as well as you can and you've got to be focused.'' UNI XC BJR-SSC VV1520