"Not a true reflection on our team" - Andrew McDonald addresses Australia's fielding concerns in 2023 World Cup

Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has thrown his weight behind his players after a heavy defeat in the 2023 World Cup fixture against South Africa on Thursday (October 12). The former all-rounder acknowledged Australia's poor fielding, but stressed they are better than that and are determined to bounce back.

The Proteas piled the misery on Pat Cummins' men, hammering them by 134 runs. While Australia did a decent job to restrict the opposition to 311, they dropped six catches and later collapsed to 177 in one of the poorest batting displays.

Speaking at a press conference, McDonald revealed there were plenty of worried faces in the dressing room and admitted their performance hasn't been to their potential.

He said:

"They're quality players and they're proud of their performance and they will respond. They're pretty stunned, I think. They sit there, there's a lot of silence in the room and our job is to regroup and get moving towards Sri Lanka. That's not a true reflection on our team.

"We're focused on what we've got there and there's quality skillsets … not performing the way that we would like.

"Our next opportunity is Sri Lanka and we'll be judged on that. We've got to put these ones behind us, we've got to reflect honestly and keep moving forwards in this tournament."

Australia are yet to pass 200 in the tournament and none of the batters have passed 50. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne top-scored with 46 each against India and South Africa.

"Really disappointing" - Andrew McDonald laments the dropped catches

Andrew McDonald. (Credits: Twitter)

McDonald reflected that it was inevitable by a quality opposition like South Africa to punish the lapses made by Australia. The Victorian said:

"We've probably relied on top order starts to get the big total we require so there's no doubt there's some improvement in that batting group but also with the ball, and I thought the fielding tonight wasn't a true reflection of the quality of skills that we do have.

"We put down six chances and anytime you're doing that against a quality outfit, you're going to be up against it so that was really disappointing that effort in the field."

Cummins and co. will lock horns with Sri Lanka on Monday (October 16) in Lucknow. A group-stage exit for Australia would mean their first since the 1992 edition.