The number of Hawke Cup challenges each summer will be reduced if a recommendation to a forum of district associations of New Zealand Cricket is accepted this weekend.

The reduction will affect the South Island which until this year had two challengers.

However, with only eight districts, five in Canterbury and three in Otago - compared to eight in Northern Districts and seven in Central Districts - it has been recommended that the winners of the Canterbury and Otago elimination series play off to decide the South Island challenger.

Up until this year there had been five annual challenges, one from each of the zones, and the fifth from a play-off between the second-placed sides in Northern Districts and Central Districts.

Manawatu is the Hawke Cup holder at the moment.

The thinking behind the reduction of challenges is to free up more resources for associations across the board.

© CricInfo