Cricket NSW area manager Luke Olsen is determined to ensure the O'Farrell Cup is not a casualty of COVID-19 and is confident it will return in some format late in the season.

The O'Farrell Cup was the subject of much controversy last season when the format was changed from a challenge system to a round robin. The move was the subject of heavy criticism and only three associations took part.

Olsen said a format for this season is still to be decided but discussions will soon begin about which associations want to be involved in the O'Farrell Cup.

"We're looking at a post-Christmas. Cricket Albury-Wodonga hold the O'Farrell Cup at the moment, they're the current holders, so whether it's a short-sharp back to the challenge scenario at the back end of the season or something else, I'm not sure," Olson said.

"We've just concentrated on getting clubs up and running, senior rep is the last thing on a lot of clubs minds now, they've got so much more to do on a Saturday with COVID requirements, it's really tough for them to think then I've got to back up on a Sunday.

"The board doesn't want to see it fall by the wayside. We don't want (COVID) to be an excuse not to do it so we want to do it in some capacity so that it gets people involved.

"The other thing is Griffith reinvigorated the Hedditch Cup, which is a challenge, so we'd have to look at that too. I'm not sure how we're going to do it but the history of (the O'Farrell Cup) is too important to let go by the wayside because of COVID."

The return of the O'Farrell Cup was discussed at a Cricket Wagga board meeting this week. The next step will be seeking feedback from associations across the region.

"For sure, we didn't really discuss it much more than yeah we'd like to do something, let's discuss it post Christmas, and a short form of it, but we'll throw some communication around with the board and get a bit of an understanding from other associations whether they are interested in doing anything and if they are, we'll look to build something up," he said.

"It might get to the point like last year where it was Wagga, Holbrook and Albury, and they're the only three that want to do it. Wagga plays Holbrook and the winner plays Albury, like it was last year.

"The main message from the board is that it's still important but it's going to be more of a focus after Christmas."

Olsen confirmed that Cricket Albury-Wodonga Provincial, the current O'Farrell Cup holders, are keen to defend their title.

"They'd be interested in a game. Even if it's a Wagga challenges Albury as a standalone game," he said.

Albury-Wodonga retained the O'Farrell Cup last season with a nine-wicket thrashing of Wagga at Albury in their one and only appearance.

Wagga got one back over their border rivals earlier this month when defeating them in the T20 Regional Bash.

READ MORE