'Finishing Is The Spots Up For Grabs' : Brad Hogg After Australia Fail To Close Out The First T20I Against The West Indies

Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg has expressed his disappointment at the national team’s heartbreaking defeat in the first T20I against the West Indies in Gros Islet. Australia threw away the match, chasing 146 from a comfortable position of 108-4 to lose by 18 runs eventually. Brad Hogg stated that the finishing spots are still up for grabs as the men in yellow fail to excel in that aspect.

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Australia, electing to field first, delivered a disciplined bowling performance, barring the 28-ball 51 knock from Andre Russell. Josh Hazlewood was the star for the tourists, grabbing figures of 4-1-12-3 and got rid of Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, and Andre Russell. Mitchell Marsh also took a couple as Australia restricted the hosts to 145.

Even though captain Aaron Finch departed in the second over, Matthew Wade and Mitchell Marsh kept the visitors on track. Marsh, who scored 51 before perishing in the 13th over was probably the turning point of the game. With Australia six down, but needing only 28 more to win, the rest of the batting line-up conjured only ten more runs.

Obed McCoy starred by taking four wickets, while Hayden Walsh snared three. Fabian Allen and Andre Russell also picked up three scalps between them, with the former accounting for a couple. Brad Hogg stated that Australia had the game in their grasp before botching the chase. The Western Australian asserted that a finisher’s spot is still up for grabs, but the opportunities need to be taken.

Below is Brad Hogg’s tweet:

Disappointing, game in the bag and thrown away. Finishing is the spots up for grabs. Opportunities are there and go to be taken. #WIvAUS https://t.co/uF2guPG7Vx

— Brad Hogg (@Brad_Hogg) July 10, 2021