New Southern Smash teams to be revealed this month as existing teams name retained players for second season

The two new franchises for the exciting second edition of the Plunkett Homes Southern Smash will be announced this month, as the expanded six-team Twenty20 competition takes shape. Regional WA’s premier T20 tournament will be held in Albany on December 28 and 29, attracting some of the State’s best short-form cricketers. The inaugural competition featured four teams and in the last few weeks, each of those franchises have been confirmed as going around again for 2020. Those four teams have been able to retain four existing players from last year, including their captain, ahead of the introduction of the two new outfits and their initial signings. Elders Avengers, Retravision Warriors, Camtrans Bulldogs and Inswing Ignition (formerly Inswing Inswingers) have been able to announce their captain, two marquee players and one local Albany and Districts Cricket Association player under competition rules. Last year’s No.1 selection in the draft, Julian Crudeli, was kept by the Warriors, along with highly rated spinner Dan Abel and local Tim Pyle. Nathan Crudeli will again captain the Warriors, who have named Perth Cricket Club’s Jason Thompson as their coach. After claiming the maiden Southern Smash title, the Avengers were quick to stitch up last year’s Player of the Tournament Jeremy Wood. The star Mt Barker all-rounder is joined by talented batsman Aaron Burrage and Albany quick Ben Grey. Nathan Dovey retains the captaincy and coach Langley Angel is also back for a second year. In a surprise move, the Bulldogs who lost last year’s grand final, have overlooked WA Country XI captain Tim Hutchison. The Bulldogs’ big signing came with Craig Tonkin as coach while skipper Coen Marwick has elected to retain hard-hitting batsman Bevan Bennell, impressive youngster Damien Burrage and local seamer Mitch Smith. Inswing Ignition captain Ryan Kinnear remains under the guidance of Tim Edmunds. Classy batsman Shayne Wornes will be back this year, along with Daniel Rees and star Albany fast bowler Paul Donaldson. The two new teams and their first four signings are expected to be announced this month. The Southern Smash draft night, where all six teams complete their playing rosters, will be held on November 22. Retired Australian spinner Brad Hogg will host a sportsman night at Inswing next Wednesday in promotion for the December tournament. Southern Smash 2020 Elders Avengers Nathan Dovey – Captain Jeremy Wood – Marquee Aaron Burrage – Marquee Ben Grey – Local Langley Angel – Coach Camtrans Bulldogs Coen Marwick – Captain Bevan Bennell – Marquee Damien Burrage – Marquee Mitch Smith – Local Craig Tonkin – Coach Retravision Warriors Nathan Crudeli – Captain Julian Crudeli – Marquee Daniel Abel – Marquee Tim Pyle – Local Jason Thompson – Coach Inswing Ignition Ryan Kinnear – Captain Shayne Wornes – Marquee Daniel Rees – Marquee Paul Donaldson – Local Tim Edmunds – Coach