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Michael Clarke will play for Western Suburbs against Randwick-Petersham in Sydney grade cricket

MICHAEL CLARKE will make his return to Sydney grade cricket this Saturday — but there’s a few blokes who will be keen to make sure it’s not a fairy tale event.

Michael Clarke training with Western Suburbs grade cricket team
Michael Clarke training with Western Suburbs grade cricket team

CRICKET  fans will flock to Pratten Park this Saturday, to watch one of Australia’s finest cricketers, Michael Clarke, make his return to Sydney grade cricket.

The fairytale plot is in place. Clarke’s team, Western Suburbs, are winless and in last place — they will take on neighbouring heavyweights Randwick-Petersham in a two-day match this weekend.

Clarke was back at training at Wests last week.
Clarke was back at training at Wests last week.

For Wests, in theory, there is little to play for but with the former Aussie captain donning his Wests kit and walking out to play for his childhood club there’s a Disney movie script itching to be played out and his teammates are sure to leave it all on the field.

“I know a lot of the boys and they are all good guys, so it’s great to be back here,” the 34-year-old veteran player said.

“Wests has always been a great club and we’ve got a lot of younger players coming through now, so like a lot of clubs it’s a bit about rebuilding now and then we’ll be back to our best for sure.

“This Back to Pratten day is all about getting players back here and everyone who is involved with the club to get back and get around the team. It’s been a tough year for the team.

“I just want to come back and hopefully I’ll bring some experience and hopefully I’m not too rusty.”

Having had a break from cricket at any level, Clarke said that more than anything he couldn’t wait to be part of the team and to play the sport he loves.

“Most of all, I’m just looking forward to playing,” he said. “I haven’t played a lot of cricket recently and I just found out this will be my 98th hit out with Wests, so that’s kind of special.

“I’m proud of every game and it’s great fun to be playing for the club that has been so good to me since I was a 13-year-old.”

A big crowd is expected for Back to Pratten day.
A big crowd is expected for Back to Pratten day.

Clarke said the seed was planted for his return when Wests invited him to join the club’s annual Back to Pratten weekend.

“It has been five months now since swinging a bat and my body has had time to really recover without the pressure of any cricket,” he said. “I thought this was a great opportunity for me to give back to my club and dip my toe in the water again.

“If it wasn’t for Wests I wouldn’t have played for NSW or Australia, so I owe them a lot and I can’t wait to play here (at Pratten Park) again.

“I’ve got some unbelievable memories from playing here. The body feels good so I think I’ll go OK.

“I’m just going to try and contribute and do whatever I can to help the team out.”

Western Suburbs Captain Fabian Cowdrey is excited to have Michael Clarke on his team this weekend. Picture: Adam Taylor
Western Suburbs Captain Fabian Cowdrey is excited to have Michael Clarke on his team this weekend. Picture: Adam Taylor

Wests captain Fabian Cowdrey said his side could definitely do with some help, and he is excited to be playing alongside Clarke.

The young cricket star from Kent is in Australia for the summer and he never expected to be skippering a team with one of Australia’s greatest in it.

“I knew he used to play for Wests obviously, but I didn’t think he’d be playing while I was here,” Cowdrey said.

“It’s just an absolute privilege. It’s my last game here and then I head back to play county cricket, so I’m just hoping to learn a bit and definitely enjoy it.”

Australian cricketer Michael Clarke trains with his club cricket side Western Sydney as the former Test captain begins his return to playing at the top level. Picture: Adam Taylor
Australian cricketer Michael Clarke trains with his club cricket side Western Sydney as the former Test captain begins his return to playing at the top level. Picture: Adam Taylor

Cowdrey said it had been “a tough season” so far, and with Wests at the bottom of the competition ladder, with zero points, tough is probably an understatement.

“We’re really young, the oldest is probably about 28, and we’ve got a lot of learning to do,” he said. “The other teams, well, there’s a lot of experience out there.

“It’s been games of us having a team of boys and we’re playing a team of men.”

Cowdrey believes his side will definitely be lifted by the return of Clarke.

Whether it will be enough for this old-Sydney club, only time will tell.

Perhaps, with the help of Clarke, this weekend will be the time these hopeful boys become men and a great Australian hero can be rewarded with the fitting fairytale script.

The men who may take down Michael Clarke — Daniel Sams, Adam Semple and Soumil Chhibber. Picture: John Appleyard
The men who may take down Michael Clarke — Daniel Sams, Adam Semple and Soumil Chhibber. Picture: John Appleyard

THE TEAM TO TAKE ON CLARKE

Randwick-Petersham have had some big successes in the Sydney Grade cricket 2015-2016 season, but they won’t be faced with a bigger challenge than they will this weekend, when they face cellar-dwellers Western Suburbs at Pratten Park.

A win could see them rise into the top-six, after failing to get a result against Eastern Suburbs in their latest match.

But more importantly, it will be an opportunity for some ultimate bragging rights, with Wests naming former Australian captain Michael Clarke in it’s side.

Randy-Pete’s manager Bill Anderson said he thought his side would get the job done, and wouldn’t let the pressure of playing Clarke get to them.

“We’ll be all right,” he said. “After all, it only takes one ball.”

Captain Adam Semple was also confident of his side’s chances.

“It’s not every day you get to play against the former Aussie captain, and it’s obviously great for grade cricket,” he said. “It’s not going to change how we play though. We’ve had a lot of players step up this season, and these next few games are really important for us.”

Randy Pete's new gun recruit Jason Sangha. Picture: John Appleyard
Randy Pete's new gun recruit Jason Sangha. Picture: John Appleyard

One young player who will be hoping he gets named in the side to take on Wests is 16-year-old Jason Sangha.

Sangha has had a terrific season and last week was the youngest player since Archie Jackson to represent a NSW Second XI or Futures League side.

Sangha is a fringe-player for Randy-Petes, but will have helped his chances of getting a call-up after recording 53 (not out) in his side’s draw with Easts.

“I was in his (Michael Clarke’s) Academy a couple of years’ ago, when I was really young and I learned a lot from him,” Sangha said.

“So to play against him would be a great experience, but we’ll just have to treat him like any other player.”

Will the fairytale play out, or will Randy-Petes win this battle? Tell us at the Inner West Courier Facebook page

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/inner-west/sport/michael-clarke-will-play-for-western-suburbs-against-randwickpetersham-in-sydney-grade-cricket/news-story/3f16ed588a0aa9c05b189e56457982b1