Canberra will host the Australian country championships despite Cricket ACT withdrawing from the tournament to focus on its high-performance programs.
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Six teams, including a side from the East Asia Pacific region, will converge on the national capital for the week-long carnival from January 7-14.
The ACT has a rich history in the championships.
It won the title in 1986-87 and 1993-94 and showcased some of the region's premier players.
The inclusion of the ACT Comets in the national Futures League competition has provided a pathway for players to make the step up to first-class level.
Comets players weren't selected for the country championships in recent years.
Cricket ACT chief executive Mark Vergano said the decision not to field a team would allow more resources to go into its under-15, under-17, under-19 and Futures League programs.
''In agreement with Cricket Australia we've made this decision to streamline our pathway in the 15s, 17s, 19s and Futures League to develop players to move interstate and to go to first-class level,'' Vergano said. ''We've got terrific experience hosting tournaments and major matches.
''We'll fulfil our obligations and host it to a terrific level with the great facilities we've got to offer.''
The country championships will feature NSW, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, Victoria and East Asia Pacific across a mixture of two-day, one-day and Twenty20 matches.
An Australian Country XI will be named ahead of the Prime Minister's XI match with England at Manuka on January 14.
