ODI World Cup 2023: Former England bowler Steve Harmison calls on the ICC to modify the regulation for the major event

Former England cricketer Steve Harmison has attacked the International Cricket Council (ICC) for only allowing nations to name 15 players for the current ODI World Cup roster restriction. For instance, England took the difficult decision to bench starter Jason Roy in favor of Harry Brook.

Steve Harmison contends that each team should have had access to at least 18 players for their squad and that each team ought to have been compelled to play a minimum of nine games in ten different stadiums. The famous pacer anticipates that England would need to deploy more than 15 players during the competition because teams are permitted to use reserves if an injury stops a regular player from competing.

“A squad can only contain 15 men, and I find it to be a mystery. With internal flights, hotels, and all the other associated expenses, England has nine games scheduled in eight different locations. England will require more than 15 players, according to Steve Harmison.

“When you look at the names of England’s fast bowlers, two immediately stand out: Mark Wood and Reece Topley. Both of these bowlers have experienced injury problems in the past. Eight separate locations before the knockout rounds entails eight different flights, and domestic flights in India aren’t exactly in business class, Steve Harmison exclusively revealed to Mirror.co.uk.

It is demanding from the perspective of a fast bowler, which is why I don’t believe a 15-man squad is adequate: Steve Harmison

According to Steve Harmison, from the standpoint of a quick bowler, it should have been 18 or 20, he continued. The 44-year-old continued by stating that England’s ODI World Cup 2023 matches in Himachal Pradesh, which is located in a geographically cooler region, will present a challenge from a venue standpoint after they play in Ahmedabad.

“I don’t think a 15-man squad is enough since it is difficult from a fast bowler’s perspective. It ought to have been at least 18, if not 20. I understand how that favors the powerful, but from the perspective of a fast bowler, I believe England will employ more, according to Harmison.

“England plays New Zealand in Ahmedabad, where it will be hot—in the mid- to late 30s—for the first game. Five days later, they travel to Dharamsala, where it will be 20 degrees cooler in the Himalayas. It’s a difficult start for England from a venue perspective, but once the first game (against New Zealand) is through, I think Bangladesh and Afghanistan are two excellent games for England,” the former pacer said.