The Prime Minister's XI will turn to an old head to lead a new generation at Manuka Oval, with former Test opener Chris Rogers to take charge of some of Australia's best young guns.
Fairfax Media can reveal Rogers will be announced as the PM's XI coach in the coming days, with Cricket Australia selectors close to finalising his squad for the clash against South Africa on October 31.
Chris Rogers is set to coach the Prime Minister's XI, but Glenn Maxwell is unavailable.Credit:Melissa Adams
It's understood Cricket Australia wants to use the game as a chance to test younger players against international opponents, with a trio of Canberra players in contention and a NSW rising star on the radar.
The match will be the first time South Africa have played in Australia since the infamous sandpaper ball-tampering scandal, which led to the suspension of David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft.
Relations between Australia and South Africa were at an all-time low after the match and the drama in Cape Town will add an interesting subplot to the Proteas tour, which starts in the capital.
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Cricket Australia is also keen to usher in a new generation, putting NSW batsman Jack Edwards in selection contention alongside a host of rising talent.
Edwards, 18, scored his first century for NSW in the one-day competition earlier this month, becoming the youngest player to score 100 in the competition's history.
Leg-spinner Lloyd Pope could also be on the PM's XI radar after making his Sheffield Shield debut for South Australia this week and being dubbed "the next Shane Warne" following his 8-35 in the under-19s World Cup earlier this year.
The selection of the team has been complicated by a Twenty 20 series against Pakistan, but the match is South Africa's only warm-up game before a one-day international series against Australia from November 4.
That will likely rule out players including big-hitters Glenn Maxwell and Chris Lynn as well as Darcy Short.
The PM's XI is the traditional anchor of Canberra's summer of cricket and ACT officials hope the game isn't overshadowed by a blockbuster calendar of games.
Canberra will host two Big Bash games in December and February, as well as the city's first Test from February 1 when Australia plays against Sri Lanka.
But Cricket ACT boss James Allsopp hopes the return to a one-day format, the intrigue involving South Africa and the opportunity to see new talent will fill the stands at Manuka Oval.
"For me, it's almost like the rebirth of cricket in Australia at the moment with the new broadcast deal, the emphasis on female cricket and a new-look Australian team competing so well in Dubai," Allsopp said.
"I think this Prime Minister's XI team will be a team of the future, guys who could play for Australia in the next one to five years.
"Australian cricket wants to be known for competing hard and making Australian people proud, that's what the team did in Dubai against Pakistan last week.
"Hopefully it's a jam-packed Manuka Oval. We're getting games here because we've shown we've got an appetite for cricket, but we need to keep turning up to support these games.
"The PM's XI has been a cornerstone and just because we've got a Test, we still need to show our support. And if we keep supporting games we'll only see more and more events in our town."
CANBERRA'S SUMMER OF CRICKET
October 31: Prime Minister's XI – Prime Minister's XI v South Africa at Manuka Oval.
November 9: ACT Meteors v Victoria at Manuka Oval.
November 11: ACT Meteors v Western Australia at Manuka Oval.
November 16-19: Sheffield Shield – NSW v Queensland at Manuka Oval.
December 21: WBBL – Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes at Manuka Oval. BBL – Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Stars at Manuka Oval.
February 1-5: Men's Test – Australia v Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval. Game two of a two-match series. Start time to be confirmed.
February 9: BBL – Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes at Manuka Oval.
Chris Dutton is the sports editor at The Canberra Times.
