Eoin Morgan criticizes ICC's proposed bat changes, calls the move 'ridiculous'

Eoin Morgan doesn’t think regulating bat sizes is a good idea

Sydney, Feb 7 (IANS) England captain Eoin Morgan has objected to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) proposed move to reduce bat sizes after the World Cup.

ICC chief executive David Richardson last week said that cricket's world governing body is considering reduction of bat sizes to even the contest between bat and ball as the game, in its current form, is loaded heavily in favour of the willowers.

Richardson said that the balance between batsman and bowler "may have shifted a bit too much" in recent years. And the ICC thinks restrictions on bat sizes would be considered to make the game more competitive.

Recent rule changes favour bowlers

But Morgan disagreed, claiming some rules recently introduced in One-Day Internationals (ODI) - the use of two new balls and restricting the fielding side to a maximum of four fielders outside the circle - favour the bowlers.

"I think it is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous," Morgan was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au here on Saturday.

"The fact that you can concentrate on the bat size where the rule changes have been made so that you bowl with two new balls.

“The ball is never any older than 25 overs and you have an extra man in the circle. That's a point in itself. I've not come across a bat yet where I've said 'this is ridiculous,'" he said.

England are scheduled to play two warm-up matches ahead of the ICC ODI World Cup, the first of which is against the West Indies at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Monday.