Southern Smash: More big names as former Melbourne Stars spinner Clint Hinchliffe signs on for 2024 tournament

The Southern Smash has received a major boost with the marquee signing of former Melbourne Stars spinner Clint Hinchliffe for the 2024 tournament.

The sixth edition of regional WA’s premier T20 cricket competition may be reducing back to four teams, but the talent is set to be just as stacked come December 29-30.

Hinchliffe will be a red-hot candidate to have his name called out first at the Smash Draft night on November 18, the left arm spinner bringing plenty of Big Bash League experience.

The 28-year-old has played 28 BBL matches taking 19 wickets at an average of 25.42 for both the Perth Scorchers and the Stars, between 2019 and 2023.

BBL 12 was Hinchliffe’s final season in Australia’s professional T20 tournament.

Previously Hinchliffe has not been a notable batter, but the Mt Lawley skipper is the third-highest run-scorer in the WA Premier Cricket first grade competition this season, scoring 264 runs at an average of 132.

He trails former Smash No.1 pick Will Bosisto who has is returning to Albany Finance Fury, and WA Second XI batter Joel Curtis in the run tally.

Hinchliffe’s signing follows the news of Bosisto and star wicketkeeper-batter Jaron Morgan both being locked in for next month’s tournament.

Registrations for the Smash draft remain open until November 15.