The coach who guided Australia to the 2023 ODI World Cup title has made a clear request about squad sizes for the next edition of the tournament.

McDonald Highlights Need for Bigger Squads

Andrew McDonald, the 2023 World Cup winning coach, has called for squads of 17 players when the ODI World Cup expands in 2027. His comments focus on the increased workload that awaits the teams reaching the later stages of the competition.

According to McDonald, the change is necessary because the two finalists will now play a total of 13 matches instead of the 11 matches that finalists contested four years earlier.

Why the Extra Players Matter

The difference of two additional matches places greater physical demands on every member of the squad. With more games scheduled for the teams that progress furthest, having only the current squad size could leave sides short of options during the knockout phase.

McDonald’s suggestion of 17 players directly addresses this extra requirement. The proposal comes at a time when tournament organisers are finalising the structure for the expanded event scheduled for 2027.

The finalists are set to play 13 games compared to 11 four years ago, making larger squads essential for managing player workload.

Indian fans following the development will note that any increase in squad size would affect all participating nations equally, including India, Australia, England and the rest of the field.

Impact on Tournament Planning

The call for 17-player squads arrives as cricket boards prepare their long-term strategies for the 2027 ODI World Cup. More players per squad would allow teams to rotate personnel more effectively across the longer campaign that the final two teams will face.

Four years ago the finalists played 11 matches in total. The jump to 13 matches represents a noticeable rise in the number of games that must be covered by the same core group of players unless squad sizes are adjusted.

• 2023 ODI World Cup: Finalists played 11 matches
• 2027 ODI World Cup: Finalists expected to play 13 matches
• Proposed squad size: 17 players

McDonald’s experience leading Australia to the 2023 title gives his view particular weight when discussions turn to player welfare and squad management for future global events.

The recommendation remains focused on the practical challenge of covering an extended schedule without compromising the depth available to each team.