This is assuming there will be sufficient team nominations.

Manning Cricket will run a tier I (or open grade) and tier 2 when the 2021/22 season finally gets underway as opposed to the last three years when second and third grades were played.

This was at the time when Manning first grade teams were involved in the now defunct Mid North Coast Premier League. Wingham was the only Manning side in the premier league last summer.

Previously four third grade sides that didn't make the semi-finals played off in a fourth grade finals series.

However, Manning Cricket president Michael Steinmetz said this will change this summer, when two separate competitions are played at the conclusion of one round.

Mr Steinmetz said the three grades will play for shields to be named after prominent Manning cricketers. The names will be released closer to the start of the season.

Mr Steinmetz said that despite uncertainty as to when the season will start, it has been confirmed that six teams, Great Lakes, Taree United, Gloucester, Old Bar, Taree West and Wingham would play in the open grade competition.

Great Lakes won the second grade premiership last season, beating Taree United in the grand final.

This will be Gloucester's third season in Manning Cricket. The Bushmen have made the second grade semi-finals for the past two years.