THE Western Zone rumour mill has been abuzz with the suggestions of a Twenty20 competition replacing the now-defunct SCG Country Cup this season, but plans for the competition are much more advanced than originally thought.
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In fact, it has already been given a name and the teams to contest it have been nominated.
The majority of district sides under Country Cricket NSW's banner competing has been effectively ruled out though, with only a handful of the largest centres among the suggested sides.
Orange is not one of them.
The Bluebaggers are set to combine with Bathurst for the competition, coming together as the Central West Wranglers, which also rules out the potential for a Mitchell Cricket Council side to participate.
It also raises the question of whether cricketers from Mitchell's other districts - Mudgee, Blue Mountains and Lithgow - will get the chance to be picked in the Wranglers squad.
Albury, Wagga Wagga and Dubbo are the three cities named among the 16 teams, split into two divisions - the northern Sixers Zone, and southern Thunder Zone.
Wagga is set to take the moniker Sloggers, while Albury and Dubbo will be named the Border Bullets and Orana Outlaws respectively.
The four sides will all compete in the Thunder Zone along with the South Coast Crew, Murrumbidgee Rangers, ACT Aces and Murray Valley Vipers.
The northern, Sixers Zone, will include the Illawarriors, Central Coast Rush, Hunter Hitmen, Newcastle Blasters, Central North Bolters, Hastings Stingers, Coffs Harbour Chargers and Northern Rivers Rock.
The Sixers and Thunder Zones will play knockout games, before a gala day at the SCG for the semi-finals, and final.
Mitchell Cricket Council, and Orange District Cricket Association, president Mark Frecklington confirmed the Western Zone committee has discussed the competition already.
"I think it's definitely exciting, and I think this kind of Twenty20 competition has been coming for a while," he said.
"Honestly, we haven't been given too many details about the teams.
"I'm not sure whether they just want a Bathurst and Orange side, or whether it would become a Mitchell side of sorts under a different name.
"Obviously, regardless, Western Zone is looking to extend the Western Premier League, so all the district sides get a bit of extra cricket there anyway without the Country Cup."
