Southern Smash 2024: Top pick Clint Hinchliffe named player of the tournament after dominant all-round display

Former Melbourne Stars player and 2024 Southern Smash No.1 draft pick Clint Hinchliffe proved his worth by finishing as the leading run-scorer and second-leading wicket-taker to be named the player of the tournament. Hinchliffe starred across WA’s premier regional cricket tournament which attracts some of the best local, State and international talent in WA to Albany over three days. He topped the run charts with 116 at an average of 58 and snared eight wickets at an eye-watering 7.36 to lead Arc Infrastructure Aces to a third-place finish. The 28-year-old soaked up the experience and said he relished the chance to learn and develop his game in a new environment. “Yeah it was awesome I had a great time,” he said. “It was great to get down here and meet some new people and play some different conditions. “Conditions make things easier and harder, and conditions down here are different to what I’m used to. “So trying to learn on the fly is always tough, but the competition was great.” Reflecting on his superb tournament, Hinchliffe believed he just focused on his role within the team and playing to his strengths. “It’s still about narrowing down my role as much as possible, and doing what I do really well,” he said. “So as a bowler, hitting the stumps and as a batter, trying to give myself some time and also hitting the ball hard. The gun all-rounder, who captains Mt Lawley in the WA Premier Cricket competition, said the relished the chance to play with regional cricketers from across WA. “It was really good and I think the people like myself and the other blokes that come from Perth and grade cricket or professional careers, it’s great for us to get back in and help out,” Hinchliffe said. “Some of these people don’t get to see professional cricketers every day, so for us to share our knowledge and help them be better makes their day.”