Cricket NSW chief executive Andrew Jones says it is "quite plausible" the ACT Comets can be re-admitted to the national one-day competition, but admits "there are a bunch of logistical issues to work through" first.
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Jones also believes a youth pathway program between Cricket ACT and Cricket NSW to field combined ACT/NSW Country teams at national championships will reduce the number of talented Canberra cricketers moving to other states.
Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW will provide about $250,000 each as part of the approach that is designed to provide more opportunities and better coaching to juniors in the ACT and country NSW.
The ACT and NSW country will field combined teams at national championships from under-13 to under-19 levels and in the female under-15 and under-18 divisions.
Selections will be based on merit, with the possibility the ACT could have no players in a specific team or all of the available spots, depending on form.
While it reduces the number of places for ACT cricketers to showcase their skills against the best in the country, it's hoped the increased competition will raise the standard in the region.
It's a similar story for the Comets as Cricket ACT aims to have the team resurrected for the national one-day competition as soon as the summer of 2015-16.
Jones said it was up to Cricket Australia to balance out the positives of exposing more players at the highest level to the requirements of running a professional team.
"It's quite plausible, the issue is how is it funded?" Jones said.
"If you're on the NSW list or a South Australia list and you want to play for another team, what happens when the Shield starts?
"There are a bunch of logistical issues to work through, but there are arguments for a seventh team because it gives more players opportunities."
Cricket ACT will raise the idea of bringing the Comets back into the national one-day competition at a meeting with Cricket Australia in Melbourne on October 30.
Several players from country NSW, along with NSW Blues contracted duo Daniel Hughes and Harry Conway, played for the Comets in two one-day games against Ireland this week.
The alignment between Cricket ACT and Cricket NSW for their youth pathways will, it is hoped, prevent ACT players from being lost to the system.
The likes of Jason Behrendorff (Western Australia), Nathan Lyon, Alex Ross and Nick Winter (South Australia) and Jason Floros (Queensland) have had to move to other states to get a chance in the first-class arena.
Lyon burst on to the scene for the Redbacks in the Big Bash, establishing himself as Australia's premier off-spinner before moving back to NSW last year.
"The best cricketers will be seen by NSW selectors as well as ACT selectors," Jones said.
"They'll get the best coaching available and their progress through the pathway will be managed.
"They won't be left sight unseen in Canberra and hoping for the best or hoping to go through the South Australian system, which has happened in the past.
"They'll be going through the NSW pathway directly."
