England captain Eoin Morgan criticises call for smaller bats

SYDNEY: England captain Eoin Morgan has called it "absolutely ridiculous" suggestions that the size of cricket bats should be reduced after the ODI World Cup to restore the balance between bat and ball.

The ICC's plans to crack down on bat sizes on the eve of the World Cup has been met with raised eyebrows by players and manufacturers.

Speaking here ahead of two World Cup warm-up games against the West Indies starting on Monday, Morgan felt wider bats were not a problem.

"I think it's ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous," he told reporters today.

"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'."

Morgan said he was confident England could perform against an in-form Australia in the World Cup, which is jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand and begins on February 14.

Australia earned a crushing 112-run victory over England in the final of the ODI tri-series which also included India.

"The refocus has to be us as a side. If we front up and play as well as we can then of course we can beat Australia.

"They've had the momentum throughout the summer but we've had guys performing consistently and this is what we're striving to do."