{
  "id": 17765869,
  "title": "'Still a very good team': coach McDonald backs Australia after South Africa disappointment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/still-a-very-good-team-coach-mcdonald-backs-australia-after-south-17765869",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-02T07:41:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Recorder",
    "slug": "business-recorder",
    "url": "https://www.brecorder.com/news/40447036/still-a-very-good-team-coach-mcdonald-backs-australia-after-south-africa-disappointment"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Coach Andrew McDonald defended Australia's performance following their disappointing 2-1 series loss to South Africa. Despite the team’s underachievement in the third test at Newlands, McDonald expressed optimism about the team's future prospects. He recognized the criticism that has surfaced, including calls for player changes and management shake-ups, but urged for patience and a balanced perspective on the players' contributions. McDonald highlighted the team's strength, noting that they still possess a number of top-tier players. He addressed concerns about the team's transition, particularly with aging players, and acknowledged Marnus Labuschagne's underperformance but did not rule out his future involvement. The coach stressed that the team's performance in upcoming series against New Zealand and India would be crucial in determining their World Test Championship campaign. McDonald also pointed out the positive signs from the tour, such as Cameron Green's return from injury and Josh Inglis' century, as well as the successful management of Steve Smith's neck injury.",
  "summary": "Coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged Australia underachieved in South Africa but called for calm and backed his team in the face of the flood of criticism that has come their way after the 2-1 series loss to the Proteas. The timidity with which Australia conceded defeat on the final day of the third test at Newlands last weekend - bowled out for 111 in pursuit of 288 - sparked calls for heads to…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "'Still a very good team': coach McDonald backs Australia after South Africa disappointment",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/still-a-very-good-team-coach-mcdonald-backs-australia-after-south",
        "published": "2026-11-02T06:01:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "PICS: Changan Deepal S05 arrives in South Africa with R699,000 price tag",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/pics-changan-deepal-s05-arrives-in-south-africa-with-r699-000-price",
        "published": "2026-11-02T06:19:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}