Catering for junior and master blast (under 9s), under 11s, under 13s, and under 15s, Mudgee District Junior Cricket Association (MDJCA) president Andrew Whale says while inclusive of COVID-19 measures, this year will run the same as previous years.

"The first week is generally a come and try day where we also sort out grading. We try to make all of the teams competitive and even," Whale said.

"The first week is a bit of organised chaos but by the following Saturday, we're into a normal competition.

"The blasts are really about getting young players involved and developing skills and techniques, there's a lot of drills. The 11s play a modified game in teams, and the under 13s and 15s start getting into the typical cricket."

Numbers have generally been high and slowly increasing over the years, but Whale says cricket is a case of 'the more the merrier'.

"On average we get about 250 kids playing cricket on a Saturday morning, our registration numbers are looking good so far this year whether that's because kids have been itching to play a bit of sport," he said.

"Our numbers have slowly been increasing but we would like to see more kids playing cricket, whether they're a boy or girl, it doesn't matter.

"It's a bit of teamwork, and they get to play with kids outside and enjoy some fresh air. It's usually all over by 12 o'clock for most of the age groups, it's just a good opportunity for the kids to get out."

Not only is this weekend the start of regular junior cricket, but also local junior representative cricket that starts on October 18 with Mudgee a part of the 12s, 14s, and 16s Mitchell Cricket Council Competition.

"We've got a number of strong boys, they've all probably played at a high level and represented Mitchell Cricket, the majority of them have," Whale said.

"Mudgee, for a small town, we generate good numbers in that higher level of cricket. We're trying to nurture the kids as they're coming through and develop their skills.

"I think once they get to this level, it's more about game management and strategy. I honestly believe they've got the talent to make it to the final, it just depends on whether or not they put the practice in."

The first week of Mudgee District Junior Cricket will take place on October 17 with players to meet at their respective grounds at 8.45am.

Junior and master blast games will be played at Victoria Park, under 11s will be at Cahill Park, under 13s at Walkers Oval, under 15s at Glen Willow Stadium.