DIRECTOR of Cricket Tom Moody was today sifting through the positive points that emerged from battling individual performances in Worcestershire's crushing 360-run defeat against Australia at New Road.

A number of County players produced encouraging displays with both bat and ball, but the tourists overwhelming superiority gave them the chance for priceless match practice ahead of their one-day internationals with England and Pakistan.

Moody, a former Aussie Test star and World Cup winner, said: "There were a lot of positives to come out of it. I spent some time with the Australian players and they passed a lot of positive comments on a few of our players.

"It was always going to be a hard job. Australia are a very good side in both one-day and Test cricket. Our main objective obviously was not to lose the game which we didn't end up doing, but we got a lot out of it.

"We were blessed with the weather over the three days and the Worcester supporters came in big numbers.

"It was obviously a great chance for them to see the tourists and they saw three good days of cricket."

Anurag Singh, David Leatherdale, Kabir Ali, Chris Liptrot and Matthew Rawnsley were among those who came in for praise from Moody.

He said: "Singh, Leatherdale and Kabir all batted very well. It's hard to play against the likes of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, but they stuck at it and showed a bit of courage.

"Liptrot, Rawnsley and Kabir all bowled well and it's not easy trying to bowl against some of the batting that they faced. They stuck at it and showed a lot of character."

After building a monster lead of 548, the Aussies dismissed Worcestershire for 188 to win with more than ten overs to spare.

Their only slight hindrance was a 66-run stand in 20 overs for the seventh wicket between Leather-dale and Kabir. Leatherdale led the way with a well deserved 72 which included 11 fours off 113 balls.

The stand was broken when Kabir was trapped lbw for 39 by former New Road pace ace Glenn McGrath, who claimed 4-31.