WITH a stronger team than last year making the trip to Dubbo, Hawkesbury head coach Charles Matthews is expecting plenty of positives to come from his side's clash with Western Zone tomorrow.
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The Hawks won last year's match by just three runs and after seeing none of his players past 50 last time around, Matthews is expecting some big performances.
"For us it's all about team building, we've got nine of the first grade side coming out and for us it's about building that culture, having a good time together and hopefully having a good game with some good scores," he said.
"There's an emphasis on the batsmen, I'd like to see a big 100 or 50 and for the bowlers I'd like to see them get on a roll, three or four wickets can be really good for the confidence so I want to see someone take the lead."
With plenty of talent in his team, Matthews said one to really watch will be youngster Adjun Nair.
The 17-year-old was part of the team last year but the coach admitted he has come in leaps and bounds the past 12 months, with his spin bowling expected to trouble the Western batting lineup.
"Last year was his first year of spin bowling but now he can spin the ball both ways and he's really got a lot of potential, he's still part of the under-17s squad but he's someone we're expecting a lot from, he'll bat in the top five too," Matthews said.
"There's also a couple of new guys, Luke Dempsey is really big hitter, he's come across from Parramatta and he'll bat in the middle order and Corey Lowe has come back to us after a season away, he's a top three batter so it will be good to see how they go."
While there is a real focus on his side's performance tomorrow, Matthews added the day was also about strengthening the relationship between his club and cricket in the western area.
Dubbo quick Ben Patterson will make the move to Hawkesbury at the conclusion of his year 12 studies this year and he is someone who excites Matthews and he admits he wants to help more country cricketers make the move to Sydney.
"I come from a country area and if you look at the state system the last few years you can see guys like Trent Copeland, the Dean brothers, Rhett Lockyear, Scott Henry, Daniel Hughes and Chris Tremain all coming from the Western Zone and with us being the first side over the mountains we can have a really good link with the country," he said.
"It gives them a chance to play at a higher level and it helps our sides too so it's beneficial for everyone.
"They've got to come here if they want to play state cricket and we can help provide a pathway and I want to keep that link going."
