‘A few nations have caught up with us’ - Brad Hogg points out concerns for Australian team despite T20 World Cup triumph

Australian cricket team must be over the moon after lifting their maiden T20 World Cup title. The Aaron Finch-led side performed exceptionally in the tournament and subsequently got the glory. They defeated Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand by eight wickets in the final to seal the deal. While the Aussie team is receiving praises from different corners for their sensational show, Brad Hogg pointed out some concerns.

In spite of Australia’s World Cup-winning campaign, the former wrist spinner feels the national team has fallen back over the last decade. Sides like England and India have revamped all formats of the game and Hogg feels Australia need to step up and evolve in order to match with such teams.

The last 5-8 years, it has not exactly gone to plan: Brad Hogg

Notably, many didn’t back Australia to thrive in the T20 World Cup 2021 as they suffered defeats in their last four T20I series. However, they managed to peak at the right time and lifted the title. Hogg stated that Australia’s academy has been the biggest contributing factor behind their success in World Cups. However, he wants a revamp in the system so that, Australia could come up with great young talents as England and India have.

“The last 5-8 years, it has not exactly gone to plan, we have rested on the laurels a bit. A few nations have caught up with us, Australia still have a lot to work to do. India have set the bar when it comes to playing in ODI, Tests, and even T20s. They were unlucky in this particular tournament,” Hogg said on his YouTube channel.

“Academy has been Australia’s biggest reason behind the success, you can see it with England and India have done the same with their academy with Rahul Dravid. Pant, Gill, Shaw are all coming through,” he added. Meanwhile, the Aussies don’t have much time to relax as they have to defend their home next year.

Speaking of the same, Hogg pointed out some concerns for the side. Steve Smith and Aaron Finch’s form were some of them. “Lot of things for Australia to resolve by the time the next T20 World Cup comes around. Need more aggressive batsmen. Hopefully, Finch finds his form, his place in the team is under the radar.  Have to assess whether Steve Smith is good for T20 or not. That’s where Josh Inglis might come in,” he opined.