The under-19s Colts side will get the ball rolling when they host a development squad from Hawkesbury as preparation ramps up towards the NSW Country Colts Championships to be held at Dubbo from September 18 to 20.

Three incumbents Jacob McNaught, Charlie Litchfield and Vince Umbers are unavailable, as are squad members Tom Galvin and Jonte Powderly, but they will be replaced by under-17s young guns, Billy Porter (Parkes), Mark Day (Bathurst), Ned Pearson-Bourke (Blue Mountains) and Ben Knaggs (Dubbo).

The unavailability allows Cowra all-rounder Zach Starr, Bathurst's Ryan Peacock and left-handed Dubbo opener Asher Robins the opportunity to gain some responsibility and leadership after serving in last year's Colts side.

Cowra's Conor Crook will also add some experience, joining the side as a temporary captain.

"There's obviously a few to come back but everything's going ahead," team manager Greg Nicholls said.

"We've brought in some under-17s players, this will be a good experience for them."

The opposition will be a relatively unknown development side from Hawkesbury.

The highlight during Cowra's three-week cricket extravaganza will be next Saturday when Western Zone, the reigning 2014-15 Country Champions, host Sydney first grade outfit Eastern Suburbs.

Easts are coached by former Test and one-day international Michael Bevan and are ripe with talented cricketers including Ian Moran and young gun Matthew Condon.

Moran was a part of the Sydney Sixers side that won the first edition of the Big Bash League, while 19-year-old Condon earned a development rookie contract with the Sixers last season, captained ACT/NSW Country at the under-19 nationals and played for the Prime Ministers XI against an England XI in January.

Western Zone will carry momentum from last season and will welcome a new captain to the helm, former Easts player Nick Berry.

Berry will join his brother Tim and several familiar names from last year's victorious squad, as the Zone kick starts preparations ahead of the Country Championships on Friday, November 20, at Wagga Wagga.

o WESTERN ZONE under 19s v Hawkesbury: Conor Crook (Cowra - ineligible for Country Champs), Zach Starr (Cowra), Mark Day (Bathurst), Luke Powell (Bathurst), Ryan Peacock (Bathurst), Marty Jeffery (Dubbo), Asher Robbins (Dubbo), Blake Watmore (Dubbo), Ben Knaggs (Dubbo), Ned Pearson-Bourke (Blue Mountains), Billy Porter (Parkes).