The Central Northern Cricket Zone embraces the Hunter Valley Cricket Council and the Northern Inland Cricket Council.

The Zone also has the Hunter Valley Junior Cricket Council, North West Junior Cricket Association, Northern Tablelands Junior Cricket Association as well as the Hunter Valley Umpires Association and the Northern Inland Cricket Umpires Association as affiliates. The Zone covers a significant area of Country NSW from the Hexham Bridge in the south to the Queensland border in the north, east to Walcha and west to Wee Waa.

Within the Zone district competitions are conducted annually in both the Hunter Valley and the Northern Inland. The John Bull Shield in the Hunter Valley and the Northern Inland's War Veterans Cup are the two 1st XI competitions. The MA Connolly Cup is contested by 2nd XI teams in the Northern Inland whilst Colts sides in the Hunter Valley play for the RA Dransfield Trophy annually.

The John Bull Shield dates back to the 1920's being one of NSW Country's most famous cricket trophies, whilst the War Veterans Cup was presented by the NSW Cricket Association in 1946 in memory of those cricketers that served their country in the war of 1939-45. The MA Connolly Cup was first played for in 1956-57, whilst the RA Dranfield Trophy was struck in 1969-70 for the Hunter Valley Colts competition.

At the end of each season the John Bull Shield champions play the War Veterans Cup winners for the Coal Board Cup to determine the top team in the Zone. Similarly, the holders of the MA Connolly Cup meet the RA Dransfield Trophy winners for the 2TMO Cup in a 2nd XI challenge.

The Zone welcomes you and trusts the information contained on its site is of benefit to you in the promotion of the 'meadow game with the mellow name'.