Penrith has the edge over Hawkesbury in decider

IT’S the cricket version of the Battle of the West this Sunday when Penrith takes on Hawkesbury in the First Grade Limited Overs Cup.

Penrith’s Ryan Smith,Michael Castle and Luke Hodges ahead of the final.

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IT’S the cricket version of the Battle of the West this Sunday when Penrith takes on Hawkesbury in the First Grade Limited Overs Cup at Howell Oval.

Rugby league had its Battle of the West last weekend when Penrith defeated Parramatta 18-6 in a trial game, but the cricket season still has a few stories to be told and Penrith fast bowler Ryan Smith says his men are full of confidence.

Penrith’s Ryan Smith,Michael Castle and Luke Hodges

“We’ve been a pretty good one day side in the past few seasons and have had a bowling attack that can contain the opposition,” he said.

“Our spinners are really good one day bowlers who bowl to their fields.”

Hawkesbury beat Gordon and Randwick Petersham quite convincingly on their way to the final while Penrith was less convincing in getting past Sydney University and Sutherland.

Despite this, Smith thinks Penrith will still go into the match with more confidence.

“We’ve won the last few games against Hawkesbury so I think we have an edge over them, but it will depend on who wants to win the game most and we really want to do that,” he said.

Ryan Smith, Michael Castle and Luke Hodges.

“They’ve knocked over the top two sides in the semi-final and quarter-final and they have a deep batting side this season.”

Josh Clarke and Dale McKay will be the two key wickets Penrith needs, while Ryan Gibson and Jonathon Sammut will be prized scalps for the visitors.

The home side should have Josh Lalor and maybe even Pat Cummins if he’s not picked for NSW in the Sheffield Shield game which starts on Saturday.

The 50-over match starts at 10am.