It has been confirmed that Bathurst will host this season's edition of the Country Colts carnival in mid-January, news that will be welcomed by the Western outfit.

A bulk of the Western Country Colts squad that posted one win across their three 50-overs-a-side games in Albury earlier this year will return as top age players in 2022.

That they will carry that experience with them, as well as having the chance to play on more familiar wickets in Bathurst, points to an improved showing.

There is also good news for Bathurst's leading under 16s as the Country Cricket representative schedule will feature an expanded Bradman Cup.

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Widely regarded as the most prestigious tournament in regional New South Wales, the Bradman Cup will now include a pre-carnival weekend divided into a northern and southern pool.

Western has already begun its preparations with the under 16 Central West Wranglers taking on the under 16 Western Plain Outlaws in a 50-over contest in Dubbo last Sunday.

"We have increased the Bradman Cup so that every zone plays each other, hence it will be a full round of cricket," Paul Marjoribanks, chair of Country Cricket NSW, said.

"It really is our pivotal carnival, and we are glad we can offer an extension of that."

"At under 16s, it is really the start of major representative cricket in the country pathways."

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