'BCCI control the ICC': Simon Harmer speaks on India’s dominance despite SA's WTC win

South Africa's Test bowler Simon Harmer has made a strong statement on the global balance of cricket, saying that India continue to dominate the game despite their recent World Test Championship (WTC) win. He believes that winning more trophies is the only way to change this arrangement.

Speaking to The Guardian, the 37-year-old off-spinner said that the overall power structure in cricket remains unchanged and pointed out that India's dominance is mainly driven by its commercial success and influence over the global body, saying that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) controls the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"Because of their commercial power, they have all of the power. The BCCI control the ICC. But what can we do? As a player, you just control the controllables. The only thing that changes the narrative is winning trophies," he said when asked about India's influence on the game.

South Africa had defeated Australia by five wickets at Lord's Cricket Ground to win the WTC final last year. It was their first red-ball title and their first major trophy win since 1998, when they won the ICC Champions Trophy (formerly known as KnockOut Trophy).

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Harmer lauds his team unity and calls County Cricket mediocre

Harmer was also part of the South African team that beat India 2-0 at home late last year, handing them a rare series defeat in their own backyard. He praised the current South African setup under coach Shukri Conrad and captain Temba Bavuma, saying the team’s strength lies in its unity rather than individual stars.

“That team is more than the sum of its parts with only a couple of superstars. If he [Conrad] thinks you’re not good enough, he’ll tell you straight. I rate that. I’ve not always had that," he said.

Meanwhile, Harmer, who spends a lot of time playing County Cricket, criticised the structure in England, saying having 18 teams in the competition allows mediocrity to seep in, along with a lot of average players.

"I think English cricketers don’t always have that fight in them. With 18 teams, there’s definitely a place for mediocrity. There are loads of guys just plodding along, doing enough to keep their average contracts," he said.