The majority of this Western squad were part of the Kookaburra Cup title-winning team four years ago and have only grown stronger as a unit in the seasons since.

And now they have the home ground advantage as they try to add an under 18s state title to their 2017-18 under 14s success.

Parkes rising star Harry Bayliss is opening the batting in the first game, and will feature heavily in the squad's tilt at the title.

Coach Garth Dean said it's exciting to make a bid for another title on home turf.

"A lot of these guys are very familiar with the conditions here so it's great to have that home ground advantage," he said.

"This team has nine of the players who played in the under 14s country championships four years ago, where they didn't lose a game. Then they went to Sydney and beat the metropolitan winners, so they won six straight.

"We've been looking forward to this year, with nine out of the 13 there. Of those that are missing from that group there are a couple who have moved away and a few who have moved in front."

Skipper Tom Coady, Michael McNamara, Koda Sissian, Cooper Brien and Mac Webster all formed the Western top order through that 17-18 Kookaburra Cup campaign, and the bunch are still together for this week's colts tilt.

George Cumming, Patrick Nelson and Harry Ridley all return to lead the bowling attack, as does Tom Lynch as a reserve.

New additions since that campaign - Anthony Atlee, Angus Parsons, Lawson Shepherd, Will Skinner and reserve Blake Kreuzberger - round out a Western team that's difficult to find weaknesses in.

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"It's a very good batting side. There's a bit more balance in the bowling as well compared to the past few years, with a couple of spin options which we've been lacking," Dean said.

"Some of our players over that four years haven't treaded water either, they've only improved. I've got guys like Anthony Atlee likely batting in the middle to lower order in the 50 over games, and that's a guy who can take the game away from the opposition.

"Angus Parsons has been picked for his bowling but he'll be in around eight and he's a very good bat. George Cumming will be in around nine and he's a top half first grade batter."

Western went one from three during last season's NSW Country Colts Championships at Albury.

Coady, McNamara, Sissian, Brien, Bayliss, Webster and Shepherd are the players from that Western side who are back for an attempt at a bigger dose of success this week.

Western face a big test right off the bat on Monday when they face defending champions Newcastle in a 50 over contest at George Park 1.

However, Newcastle will be fielding a new-look side this season with just five players returning from the champion side.

In other round one matches on Monday Central Coast and Central Northern meet at Morse Park 1, North Coastal and Greater Illawarra play at Morse Park 2 and Riverina faces ACT Southern Districts at George Park 2.

All matches will get underway from 10am.

A pair of Twenty20 matches will follow on Tuesday.

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