The 21-year-old got a feel for a better class of cricket playing for NSW Country in the State League Cup and decided it was time to further his career in Newcastle.

Nichols, an opening batsman, was playing for the Valley club in the Singleton competition last year and also spent two seasons in the Central North senior representative side.

He still lives in the family home at Jerrys Plains but has joined forces with Wallsend this season, and he has made a promising start.

"I was talking to Mick Ninness [Newcastle physiotherapist] at last year's colts carnival," Nichols said.

"I told him I was interested in coming down to Newcastle to play and it went from there. It has always been a part of my plans to come to Newcastle because it's a better standard of competition."

Nichols has made a promising start to the season, scoring three and 48 against Waratah-Mayfield in the first game and 60 last weekend against University.

His only input into Wallsend's SCG Country Cup game was 2-17 off two overs before rain washed out play and ended the Tigers' campaign.

Newcastle selectors will name the first representative team of the season on Wednesday night, to play Central Coast at No.1 Sportsground on November 15.

Nichols hopes his name will be on that team sheet and in the side, also selected that day, to play in the NSW Country Championships.

"Playing for Newcastle is definitely something I want to do but it's not up to me," he said.

"I waited until I thought I was ready to come down here, and I want to see how far I can go with my cricket. If that takes me to Sydney or even further then that's great but making the Newcastle team is my first priority."

There is a spot available at the top of the order in the Newcastle side after the departure of Belmont opener Matthew Frith to Sydney and Scott Cameron's unavailablity.

Selectors will have to find replacements for Frith and Wallsend all-rounder Nathan Price, who both made the move to Sydney club Randwick-Petersham in the off-season.

Mark Littlewood will captain the Newcastle side in those matches, but Merewether's Troy Goodwin is in charge this weekend. Goodwin will lead the side in the Konica Cup against Canberra City & Suburban at Campbelltown's Raby Oval No.2.