One player showing that fighting quality is off-spinner Grant Westgarth who continues to bowl valuable overs while also making runs.

Westgarth made 46 out of the Hawks' 191 all out while batting at No.7 against Richmond at Monash University on Saturday.

He then took 1-40 late in the day matching wits with Victorian and Australian star Cameron White and almost claiming White's valuable wicket late in the day when a lofted drive found the hands of a Hawks outfielder, who dropped the ball.

White was unbeaten on 84 and, as long as his Big Bash side Melbourne Stars doesn't have a match next weekend, he looks likely to return and aim for a century. The Tigers will resume on 1-118.

Hawks coach Keith Jansz said he was disappointed with the Hawks' batting but he also praised Westgarth's efforts.

"We think he is one for the future. He is a multiskilled cricketer who gives us something with the bat and with the ball and he can field as well.

"He is a patient player who doesn't get rattled. Cameron White hit him for six and Grant just smiled and got back to it. If we held that catch he would have got White out."

But Jansz was less complementary of his side's batting as four Hawks went leg before wicket.

"We were playing around the ball and not playing straight. Four leg before wickets speak for themselves.

"On our ground anything under 300 is short of what you want when you win the toss and bat first."

The Hawks were buoyed by Englishman John Simpson making 38 as opener while Kumar Sarna made 34.

White, who was making a rare Premier Cricket appearance to get some extra match practice, told The Sunday Age he doubted Australian Twenty20 selectors would take notice of a Premier Cricket innings but he was happy with his form.

"Funnily enough I think I've been hitting the ball well, I've just been getting out," he said.

"By the time I got out here today the pitch was nice and flat."

The match continues this Saturday at Monash University at 11am.