And the Oaklands Cricket Club has been granted an extension to join as it weighs up options from the Murray Valley association.

CAW chairman Michael Erdeljac said he was delighted with the response.

“It’s been mind-blowing,” Erdeljac said.

“We probably hoped to get eight clubs when we started talking a year or so ago.

“It’s fantastic for cricket and I think a common-sense decision.

“They will all still run their own clubs and we will do the administration.”

CAW Hume will be run as a third-tier competition with officials to meet later this month to discuss rules and guidelines.

Erdeljac is optimistic Oaklands will still come on board.

“Oaklands is getting back to us soon,” he said.

“Because of the travel they are just looking at their options.

“They have been to all the meetings and just want to make a good decision for their future.

“I can completely understand that as it’s a big decision.”

Burrumbuttock, Walla, Walbundrie, Rand and Brocklesby will cross over from the Brocklesby competition while Holbrook, Henty, Culcairn, Osborne, Lockhart and The Rock-Yerong Creek have made the switch from the Holbrook and District association.

The clubs will play one-day cricket in division one and two competitions.

Brocklesby and Holbrook association clubs favoured a merger as they believe it will be beneficial to their juniors as well as providing different competition.

It will also open up further funding opportunities through Cricket NSW.

“The benefits are enormous,” Erdeljac said.

“We have grants available and are working on projects all the time which will help all of our clubs going forward.” 

Meanwhile, Albury-Wodonga will host the Kookaburra and Bradman cups in January.

It will follow the North East Junior Country Week.

“It’s going to be huge,” Erdeljac said.

“It will be the first time they have been held at the same venue at the same time and it’s going to put an enormous amount of money into the economy.

“We are one of the few venues that can cater for all the games.”