Australia cite workload concerns in push for bigger World Cup squads

The proposal Australia have called for bigger squad sizes for the expanded 2027 ODI World Cup. With more teams and more games, they argue current squad limits won't be enough. The push is mainly about player workload and injury cover. An expanded tournament means longer campaigns, more travel, and higher risk of injuries/illness, so teams need more depth. The 2027 ODI World Cup is set to be bigger than previous editions. Australia want the ICC to adjust squad rules now so teams can manage the demands better. In that tournament, Australia played 11 matches including nine group games, a semi-final and a final. The winner of the 2027 event will have to play at least 13 matches including five group games, six Super 7 games, a semi-final and final. There is a possibility the winner could have to play 15 if one of the bottom three ranked teams who play the two-match 'super series' to start the tournament is able to progress to the final. Australia’s long-standing push Australia have consistently argued for bigger squads at ICC events. They dealt with injury issues at the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups, plus 2022, 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cups. Speaking to SEN radio on Wednesday, head coach Andrew McDonald reiterated the call. His reason: teams will play more games in the 2027 ODI World Cup, but the tournament will be held in the same time span as 2023. That means a more congested schedule. With more matches packed into the same window, larger squads are needed for injury cover, workload management, and rotation. McDonald says the 2027 expansion makes bigger squads non-negotiable. Australia’s experience with injuries in past World Cups is driving the push. "This is going to be a pinnacle event. I think there's an argument to say, great, you've put more games in front of us, give us larger squads, allow us to play the way that we need to play within those conditions, and then also you've got the ability to carry those potential stars of the game that are under injury clouds leading in because the cricket leading into the World Cup is demanding, so you're going to have some people that potentially are 50-50 at that point in time. "So let's carry the best players in there. Give us larger squads to be able to navigate through the early part, and then hopefully the pinnacle event has the best players playing, rather than being ruled out early on due to injury and the attritional nature of a World Cup." The 2027 ODI World Cup will only have 14 teams. To get to 12 spots in the group phase, 3 teams will have to play a round-robin "super series" just to qualify for one remaining place. Speaking to SEN, Andrew McDonald called it an "interesting structure" but said Associate nations have been "penalised a little bit." He noted there was an expectation/direction from the ICC that more Associates would play in this 50-over World Cup. McDonald pointed to the growth of Associates in T20 cricket as proof that giving them more opportunities is "beneficial for cricket." He implies the 14-team limit goes against that momentum.