Hinchliffe headlines Western Australian squad for upcoming National Indigenous Cricket Championships

Callan Morse Published February 14, 2024 at 9.30am (AWST)

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Clint Hinchliffe will bring BBL experience to Western Australia's men's Indigenous squad for this year's National Indigenous Cricket Championships. (Image: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Former Melbourne Stars allrounder Clint Hinchliffe has been selected in Western Australia's men's Indigenous squad which is set to compete at next week's National Indigenous Cricket Championships.

The Championships, held in Alice Springs, will be Hinchliffe's first, the 27-year-old bringing both List A and First Class Experience to the WA side.

The left-handed batter and left-arm spinner, who was a member of the Melbourne Stars during BBL|12, will be joined by talented Biripi allrounder, Brock Larance.

Last representing New South Wales at the 2020 Championships, Larance, an off-spinning allrounder, toured Vanuatu as part of the National Men's Indigenous squad last year.

Western Australia's squad also includes the likes of Michael Bailey, Yagan Walley and Cody Hoffmeister, the trio possessing years of experience in Red Centre conditions between them.

Hoffmeister, who is WA Cricket's Aboriginal Project Officer, said support provided by the WA Cricket Foundation has enabled the selection of teams eager to perform at this year's Championships.

"The WA Cricket Foundation provides a tailored high performance pathway for Aboriginal cricketers and supports initiatives like the Aboriginal Talent Academy which allow us access to some of the State's best young Aboriginal cricketers," the Palawa man said.

"We're excited by the depth of talent in both squads and are looking forward to putting our best foot forward at the Championships."

Veronica Keen, who was awarded Player of the Championships and women's division batting award will captain Western Australia's women's squad.

Hoffmeister said Keen, whose outstanding 2023 Championships lead to her selection in the National Indigenous Women's squad, will lead a youthful and talented WA women's side.

"In our women's side we have Veronica Keen returning as captain after an outstanding individual performance last year, and we have some young talent coming through the ranks who are eager to impress including Elsie Simpson, Charlotte Toohey, and Destiny Mippy," Hoffmeister said.

"… we're looking forward to seeing how both sides gel together across the week."

Michael Bailey will coach Western Australia's women's side with former Australian international, Zoe Goss, appointed player mentor for both squads.

Western Australia Indigenous squad - men

Jay Collard (c)

Brock Larance (vc)

Cody Hoffmeister

Clint Hinchliffe

Elijah Dare

Hayden Collins

Hugh Sando

James Eatt

Koby Jackson