Southern Smash 2024: Former Melbourne Star Clint Hinchliffe raring to be part of Albany’s elite T20 tournament

Former Melbourne Stars player and gun Mt Lawley all-rounder Clint Hinchliffe said a passion for cricket and growing the game ultimately spurred him to sign up for the 2024 Southern Smash in Albany. Hinchliffe was snaffled up by Arc Infrastructure Aces with the prized No.1 pick at this year’s draft of the marquee T20 tournament which pits international and State players against some of the best country and city cricketers from across WA. He beat out a swag of talented WA cricketers for the first selection including Australian under-19 wicketkeeper-bat Simon Budge, star University all-rounder Viv Paver and his swashbuckling teammate Jack Webster. The Mt Lawley skipper has enjoyed a brilliant start to the WA Premier Cricket first grade season, scoring 373 runs across all formats at an average of 46.63 with three half centuries and one ton and has taken 20 wickets at 26.15. The 28-year-old brings a wealth of T20 experience to the State’s premier regional cricket tournament having played 28 Big Bash League matches. Hinchliffe hopes to pass on his knowledge to aspiring country and metro-based cricketers. “I want to help grow country T20 cricket and it’s awesome to put that on the map,” he said. “A few of my mates have played over the last couple of years and I’ve only heard good things from all the boys. “They’ve had an awesome time, it’s a great experience so I thought I’d throw my hat into the ring and have a bit of fun.” The ex-Star said he relished any opportunity to improve his game and hopes the Smash can springboard his season with Mt Lawley after the Christmas break and mount a case for another BBL contract. “The more cricket you can play, the better,” he said. “It keeps you ticking along, and hopefully I can take my form down there and go pretty well. “If I can keep playing cricket and keep learning and keep bettering myself, it will help me for the back end of the year, after Christmas. “I’m still striving to be better and keep trying to be the best cricketer I can be and learn as much as I can. “So I just have put runs on the board and take wickets, and you never know.” Hinchliffe joins his Mt Lawley coach David Virgo at the Aces, who retained 2022 player of the tournament Jaron Morgan, Rockingham-Mandurah heavy hitter Ethan Smith and Willetton star opener Brock Larance. The side will be captained by Country XI spinner Tim Hutchinson. “I pride myself on being a great bloke so hopefully everyone enjoys my company,” Hinchliffe said. “It’s great to play against some of the best and to be up close with them and play on the same team as some of them and learn from them. “It’s stuff you don’t get every day so it’s pretty special for blokes from country towns, or even the city.” The sixth edition of tournament features four teams and will be played in Albany on December 29 and 30.