Helensburgh's McCrae on fire at Griffith in Country Championships

Young Helensburgh opener Mitch McCrae comfortably stepped into the place of former Illawarra star Graeme Batty after blasting a match-winning 140 for Illawarra against Southern Zone in Friday's Country Championships opener at Griffith.

Illawarra posted 4-271 and bowled out their neighbouring association for 194, with Keira's Neel Honavar taking 6-46 and Dapto skipper Dale Scifleet 4-13.

With Batty heading to Sydney this season and Balgownie's David Murphy a late withdrawal, McCrae was a last minute replacement and delivered with a career-best best innings.

McCrae and Balgownie's Adam Berwick (30) posted an opening stand of 110 as Illawarra set up victory with a commanding batting display.

McCrae hit 16 fours and a six in his 158-ball knock.

Wests Illawarra's English recruit Olly Thompson and Taun Stanham both made a hard-hitting 35 as the Southern attack was smashed to all parts of Exies Oval.

In reply, Southern lost regular wickets as the run rate pushed beyond six an over, with Honavar crashing through the middle and lower order. Goulburn-Highlands' Ben Hamilton (50 not out) top-scored, with Kookas' Mick Perry making 47.

"It was a strong performance, particularly from the top order," Illawarra coach Steve Davies said.

"Mitch batted superbly. He's a strokemaker and controlled the bowling with some fine shot-making.

"We set ourselves up in the first 15 overs and were able to go on with it in the last 10 and though the bowling wasn't polished, Neel [Honavar] will get a lot of confidence out of a six-wicket haul."

Western Zone thumped Riverina in the other pool game on the adjacent field, with Illawarra to take on Riverina on Saturday before facing Western on Sunday.

The pool winner is set to host Newcastle in the championship final.

Meanwhile, Corrimal skipper Rob Fisher has been suspended for three playing days over his behaviour in the compulsory umpires and captains meeting following last Saturday's match against Wollongong at Ziems Park.

Fisher was reported by umpires Darren Sutherland and Steve Saye and found guilty at a CI judiciary hearing on Thursday.

Fisher spoke to the Mercury after the match, expressing his anger at some players within the Illawarra rep team who opposed his appointment as captain for the Country Championships.

Fisher was already serving a two-game suspended sentence before last Saturday's indiscretion which earned him a one playing day ban by the judiciary.

He is suspended for Saturday's one-day round, plus the round seven one-dayer, and opening day of the Twenty20 competition on December 13.

LADDER: Helensburgh 40, University 29, Corrimal 29, Port Kembla 27, Balgownie 24, Wests Illawarra 17, Dapto 16, Northern Districts 15, Wollongong 12, Keira 5.

ILLAWARRA CRICKET

ROUND 6 (one-dayers)

Wests Illawarra v Corrimal at Figtree Oval

Port Kembla v Dapto at King George Oval

Northern Districts v Wollongong at Hollymount Park

University v Helensburgh at Uni Oval

Keira v Balgownie at Keira Oval