McDonald Wants 17-Player Squads at the 2027 ODI World Cup

Australia coach Andrew McDonald has urged the ICC to allow larger squads at the 2027 ODI World Cup, arguing that the new, longer tournament format puts extra strain on players.

A longer tournament

Earlier this month the ICC confirmed that the 2027 World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, will have 14 teams and a revised structure. It opens with a Super Series, followed by a group stage and a Super 7 phase before the semi-finals.

The eventual winners will have to play at least 13 matches, compared with the 11 Australia played when they won in India in 2023. Some teams could play as many as 15 games.

McDonald’s case

McDonald believes the heavier workload justifies lifting the 15-player limit. Speaking to SEN Radio, he said bigger squads would help teams cope with injuries, rotation and varied conditions. He recalled that Travis Head missed the early part of the 2023 tournament for Australia, and that New Zealand were short of options after Kane Williamson was injured.

Carrying an injured key player in a 15-man group, he explained, can leave only 12 or 13 fully fit players. With demanding away Test series against India and England before the tournament, he proposed squads of 17, which would allow better rotation and let recovering stars stay in the group.

He also said the World Cup should feature the best players at their peak, noting that events such as the FIFA World Cup permit larger squads despite fewer matches.

ICC expected to hold firm

Reports suggest the ICC will keep the 15-player limit. It is, however, planning to give every team at least two days’ rest between matches to ease workloads.