“Give Us 17 Players…”: Australia Coach Warns ICC New ODI World Cup Could Become ‘War of Attrition’

As preparations begin for the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, Australia head coach Andrew McDonald has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) to rethink one key aspect of the tournament—team squad sizes.

McDonald believes the current limit of 15 players is no longer sufficient, especially after the ICC introduced a revamped tournament format that will require teams to play significantly more matches. According to the Australian coach, increasing squad sizes to 17 players would help ensure that the world’s best cricketers remain available throughout the competition instead of being sidelined by injuries.

New World Cup format raises fresh concerns

Earlier this month, the ICC unveiled the structure for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

Although the tournament will continue to feature 14 teams, the governing body has introduced an additional ‘Super 7’ stage before the semi-finals. As a result, teams reaching the final could play at least 13 matches, compared to 11 games during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Depending on qualification scenarios, some teams could end up playing as many as 15 matches.

McDonald believes the expanded schedule increases the physical demands on players and makes larger squads a necessity rather than a luxury.

Lessons from the 2023 World Cup

The Australian coach pointed to the previous ODI World Cup in India, where injuries forced several teams to make difficult selection decisions.

Australia’s campaign began without Travis Head, who missed the first five matches after suffering a fractured hand. Despite his absence, Australia managed to keep him in the squad, and the left-hander returned to play a crucial role, scoring a memorable century in the final against India in Ahmedabad.

New Zealand also dealt with injury setbacks, including concerns surrounding captain Kane Williamson, leaving both teams with limited options during the early stages of the tournament.

McDonald argued that such situations can significantly impact team balance, particularly when playing in countries where pitch conditions vary dramatically from one venue to another.

Busy international calendar adds to injury risks

Australia’s concerns are not limited to the World Cup itself.

Before the 2027 tournament begins, the team is expected to play up to 21 Test matches in just 14 months, including demanding five-match series against India and England.

With experienced fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc all in their thirties and carrying extensive injury histories, workload management has become a major challenge.

McDonald believes allowing larger squads would help teams rotate players more effectively while still ensuring that elite cricketers recovering from injuries remain available later in the tournament.

He argued that the World Cup should showcase the best players in world cricket rather than becoming a test of which squad can survive the longest without injuries.

Call for a 17-player squad

McDonald stressed that if the ICC wants the World Cup to remain cricket’s premier 50-over tournament, it should adapt squad regulations to match the expanded schedule.

He suggested that teams should be allowed to travel with 17 players, giving selectors greater flexibility to manage injuries, changing conditions, and player workloads across a longer competition.

According to the Australian coach, such a move would improve the overall quality of the tournament and reduce the likelihood of star players missing crucial knockout matches because of early injuries.

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Questions over opportunities for Associate nations

Apart from squad sizes, McDonald also expressed reservations about the tournament’s revised structure from another perspective.

He believes the new format may unintentionally reduce opportunities for Associate nations, despite their impressive progress in white-ball cricket over recent years.

The Australian coach noted that the ICC had previously indicated a desire to provide greater exposure to emerging cricketing nations. However, he feels the latest format may not fully reflect that objective.

Associate teams have enjoyed increasing success in international T20 cricket, and McDonald suggested that continued opportunities on the global stage are essential for the sport’s long-term growth.

Will the ICC reconsider?

With more matches, heavier workloads, and increasingly demanding international schedules, McDonald’s proposal is likely to spark wider discussions among cricket boards ahead of the 2027 tournament.

Whether the ICC chooses to increase squad sizes remains uncertain, but the debate highlights a growing concern within international cricket—ensuring that marquee tournaments are decided by the quality of cricket on the field rather than the availability of fit players.