Michael Clarke has helped Western Suburbs to its first win of the season in Sydney grade cricket

WESTERN Suburbs have had their first win of the Sydney grade cricket season, with a little help from former Aussie cricket captain Michael Clarke.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 21: Michael Clarke of Wests during the Grade Cricket match between Western Suburbs and Randwick Petersham at Pratten Park on February 21, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

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WESTERN Suburbs have had their first win of the Sydney grade cricket season, with a little help from club-hero (and former Aussie captain) Michael Clarke at Pratten Park.

Wests won the toss and elected to bat first against Randwick-Petersham, and captain Fabian Cowdrey got proceedings off to a cracking start, kicking off the home-side’s tally with 42 solid runs.

Shenal Siriwardhane added nine to the tally, before the man everyone had come to see stepped up to the crease.

Clarke topscored for the Magpies, with 48, before Randwick-Petersham’s Samuel Doggett took the prized scalp (lbw).

All smiles at Pratten Park on Saturday. Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Some mediocre performances saw Wests end the first innings with 209 from 65.5 overs.

Randy-Petes, who have been a formidable force all season, were less than impressive with the bat.

Daniel Sams (with 44) and James Psarakis (with 48) were the best for the visitors, but with little support the side were only able to muster 169, from 71 overs.

Wests returned to the crease for 34 overs, and Clarke (batting third) again gave the fans plenty to cheer about, knocking out 30 runs before Soumil Chhibber caught him out off a Daniel Sams ball.

Nicholas Cutler was best for Wests in the second innings, with 39 not out.

The side finished the day with 4-126 and walked away with their first win of the season, and six points.

Michael Clarke of Wests bats on Saturday. Photo: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

While still in last place, they are now within reach of losing the wooden spoon, with clubs Hawkesbury and North Sydney both just a win ahead on the ladder with 12 points apiece.

Wests will return to Pratten Park for the next two Saturdays, albeit without Clarke, to take on Northern District.

The northern side is currently in the middle of the ladder, tied with Randwick-Petersham with 36 points.

A win to Wests would end the visitors finals chances.

Wests will close out their season with a one-day chance against 11th-ranked Sutherland at Glenn McGrath Oval on March 12.

Meanwhile, Randwick Petersham will spend the next two Saturdays battling it out with UNSW (ranked 16th) at Village Green.

They will then face third-placed Sydney in their final match before the finals, at Coogee Oval on March 12.