The SDCA currently runs a three-grade format and prior to the new entries five local clubs fielded a total of 16 sides.

There were five teams in both first and second grade and six line-ups in third grade.

The newly-formed Denman and Muswellbrook clubs are set to field sides in the second and third grade competitions, with the goal of eventually building up their player stocks and entering first grade.

SDCA vice-president, and JPC Cricket Club president, Tim Gore said the decision was made at a committee meeting last Monday night and it was “good for cricket”.

“The four-team competition in Muswellbrook was suffering due to the introduction of a T20 competition,” he said.

“The lack of competition meant they lost a lot of their good players to Maitland and Newcastle. 

“So they approached us about joining our competition.”

Gore said they originally bought the idea to his committee in August.

When asked about the issue of local teams making the journey to Denman and Muswellbrook, he said it was only a short distance.

“We have been spoilt for a long-time in Singleton with not having to travel but other sporting codes like AFL, football and rugby league have had to do it for years and over much larger distances,” Gore told The Argus.

“Each team will only have to travel on three occasions throughout the whole season.

“The format of play for both second and third grade will consist of a round of 40-over games, broken up by the second round of T20 matches during the hot weather in December and January and finish off with a third round of 40-over fixtures.

“The finals will be 40-over games.  

“First grade will be different with unlimited overs in the first round then 50-over games.”

The season starts on Saturday, October 11.