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Third edition of Southern Smash confirmed as registrations open for regional WA’s premier T20 tournament

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Cameron NewboldAlbany Advertiser
Brad Hogg offloads a delivery in last year’s Southern Smash.
Camera IconBrad Hogg offloads a delivery in last year’s Southern Smash. Credit: Laurie Benson

The dates for the third edition of regional WA’s biggest Twenty20 tournament in Albany have been confirmed, as player registrations officially open today.

The rapidly growing Southern Smash is back again in 2021, with organisers confirming the tournament will be played on December 28 and 29, and feature six teams for the second straight year.

A highly successful second instalment of the marquee T20 competition was held in December last year, highlighted by dual World Cup winner and former Australian spinner Brad Hogg.

The Southern Smash started with four teams in 2019 before expanding to six franchises last year.

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The tournament was created by a passionate group of Albany cricketers, to incorporate former State and international players against those in metro, regional and country areas in a T20 cricket showpiece.

Players register their interest and some are retained by their teams from last year while the rest go into a draft pool in a bid to be selected for the popular two-day competition.

Arc Infrastructure Aces players celebrate a wicket.
Camera IconArc Infrastructure Aces players celebrate a wicket. Credit: Laurie Benson

Ryan Kinnear, who is part of the Smash organising committee, said preparations were already under way for the third edition.

“It will be quite similar to the past couple of years,” he said. “The dates are a Tuesday and Wednesday, a lot of people will travel on Monday, December 27 to get here.

“Again there is great excitement around it and we are looking at securing a number of key player signatures in coming weeks.

“We are confident we will have a similar calibre of players, the timing really opens this tournament up to players right around the State.”

Hogg played for the Inswing Ignition, champions in 2020, and the Smash hope he will return.

“We know Hoggy really enjoyed his time last year and we’d love to see him back,” Kinnear said.

Camtrans Bulldogs’ Travis Birt was a star attraction last year.
Camera IconCamtrans Bulldogs’ Travis Birt was a star attraction last year. Credit: Laurie Benson

“More than ever there is great interest among regional and country players.

“We had guys last year who were disappointed they didn’t get involved and we expect an even greater spread of players to express their interest.

“Last year we had over 140 registrations and lots of young players so we expanded to an under-21 exhibition game and we could be looking at going to two of those matches.”

The draft will be in early November and players can register via the Southern Smash Facebook page.

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