{
  "id": 10908079,
  "title": "South Africa look to gather momentum in ODI series with World Cup looming",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/south-africa-look-to-gather-momentum-in-odi-series-with-world-cup",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-30T08:36:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40441977/south-africa-look-to-gather-momentum-in-odi-series-with-world-cup-looming"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Johannesburg - South Africa are focusing on establishing markers in their one-day international series against Australia, despite the World Cup being a year away, according to key spinner Keshav Maharaj. The series, which concludes in Potchefstroom on Wednesday, sees South Africa leading 2-0 after victories in Durban and Johannesburg. Maharaj emphasized the importance of maintaining clinical play and building confidence, as the World Cup looms. The South African team, set to co-host the tournament next year with Namibia and Zimbabwe, views the series as a stepping stone and foundation for future success. Maharaj, along with fellow spinner Bjorn Fortuin and part-time player Aiden Markram, has been crucial in South Africa's ODI victories, restricting the Australian batsmen effectively. Maharaj's performance suggests he could play a pivotal role in the upcoming three-test series, which begins at his home ground in Durban on October 9.",
  "summary": "JOHANNESBURG: South Africa feel it is important to set some markers against Australia in their one-day international series, even though the World Cup is still one year away, key spinner Keshav Maharaj said on Tuesday. South Africa are 2-0 up in the three-match ODI series which concludes in Potchefstroom on Wednesday after beating the World Cup holders fairly convincingly in Durban and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "MLB's worst nightmare tops list of best potential World Series matchups",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/mlbs-worst-nightmare-tops-list-of-best-potential-world-series-matchups",
        "published": "2026-09-29T10:10:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "South Africa look to gather momentum in ODI series with World Cup looming",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/south-africa-look-to-gather-momentum-in-odi-series-with-world-cup",
        "published": "2026-09-29T11:02:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}