Lightning Ridge Cricket Club spokesman Mario Strasek said they were looking towards a good second half of the competition, so would be training three days a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

While the first game for this year won’t be played until Saturday February 9 several players turned up on Monday to practice their bowling and batting skills and techniques.

So far, Walgett has six teams in the competition, while both Collarenebri and Lightning Ridge have one each.

Mr Strasek said that at the end of last year they equalled at third placing, but were hoping to improve their ranking, especially with new players having shown interest this year.

“For a while there it looked like we might have been able to have two teams, but there is still only one at the moment,” he said.

The first game this year will be a home game for the Lightning Ridge team, and the finals are expected to be played in March.”