Proposed ICC rule change could allow Australia to take two teams to T20 World Cup in India

A proposed radical rule change to how squads can be selected could see Australia take extra players to the T20 World Cup – but it would come at a cost.

Glenn Maxwell leads the Aussies out against New Zealand in the recent T20 series. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

Cricket Australia would choose between taking depth players such as Josh Hazlewood and Josh Philippe or extra analysts and medical staff to this year’s World Cup under a radical selection policy the ICC is considering.

The Herald Sun can reveal that players, coaches and support staff would all compete for places at the Twenty20 tournament, with a hard cap likely to be placed on headcounts rather than squad sizes.

The ICC has confirmed to News Corp that a cap for each country – instead of the traditional limit of 15 players at World Cups – was being discussed, although exact numbers were not yet known.

The concept would deliver countries greater flexibility while also strengthening the COVID-safe plan by fixing the size of the bubble required to stage the tournament in India.

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Josh Philippe made his T20 debut against New Zealand recently. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

It is understood that 30 would probably be the magic number, which would result in 480 players, coaches and medicos jetting in across the 16 countries set to play in India.

The Aussies’ T20 game plan is so role-specific that they would consider flying over two full teams so that they have cover for every skillset.

In the backdrop, they would also prepare players who are not in the best XI in India for the home Ashes series, which follows the October-November tournament.

“T20 is so role-specific, the irony of T20 being the smallest margins end up having the biggest difference,” selector George Bailey told News Corp.

“One of the things we’ve talked about is whether you almost need a complete like-for-like replacement for what you see as your strongest line-up.

“That’s pretty natural for all the sides.

“They like to have the ball spinning each way from the batters, they like to have a good mix of guys who can produce some pace, and off-speed deliveries particularly given it’s going to be in India.

“And then with your batting you’re looking for that balance as well.

“You’re looking for your power hitters and for your consistent scorers, all that sort of thing.

“If it’s a like-for-like, that obviously lends itself to quite big squads.”

Adam Zampa is key to Australia’s World Cup chances. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

Under the like-for-like model the Aussies could, for example, substitute in left-armer Jason Behrendorff for Mitchell Starc, leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson for Adam Zampa, top-order batsman and wicketkeeper Philippe for Matthew Wade and right-handed middle-order slugger Ben McDermott for Glenn Maxwell.

Swapping the same skill-sets would see changes to the XI cause minimal disruption to the overall game plan and playing style.

It was widely believed that the ICC was simply going to increase squad sizes from 15 to 18 or 19 for the World Cup.

But Bailey was aware of the headcount model, where countries would be free to split up the number between staff and players as they wish.

“From a selection point of view and the importance of having those options I like the idea of being able to have as many like-for-like replacements as you can, given the importance of a World Cup,” Bailey said.

Caretaker coach Andrew McDonald reiterated that CA’s plan was to steel players for the Ashes during the World Cup in India.

“The squads will be a little bit deeper, so therefore you might have some options to train guys in India at the time to get ready for the Ashes as well,” McDonald said.

Jhye Richardson is not only a certainty for the T20 squad, but has just about burst into Australia’s best XI for the World Cup.

Originally published as Proposed ICC rule change could allow Australia to take two teams to T20 World Cup in India