Mark Waugh to captain Prime Minister's XI

Former Australian batsman Mark Waugh will lead the Prime Minister's XI in its one-day match against an England XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra on 10 December, it was announced today.

Waugh and his New South Wales Blues team-mate Simon Katich are the only players with Test experience in an 11-man squad chosen by the National Selection Panel in consultation with the Prime Minister, the Hon. Mr John Howard, but the line-up boasts an impressive array of talent.

The side is:

The 12th man will be provided by the Australian Capital Territory Cricket Association and named in due course.

The umpires are:

In keeping with tradition, the Prime Minister has nominated the captain of the home team, a role filled this year by Mark Waugh.

Waugh's line-up includes Matthew Bradley, the captain of the 2001-02 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) Chairman's XI, as well as 20 year-old Canberra wicket-keeper/batsman David Dawson, a current scholar at the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy.

Commenting on the side, NSP Chairman Trevor Hohns said: "Together with the Prime Minister, we have picked a side that has a blend of youth and experience as well as plenty of players keen to make their mark in this high-profile fixture.

"The match is another excellent opportunity for us to look at players with a view to their selection for this summer's VB Series and the World Cup that follows."

The Canberra fixture was introduced in 1951-52 under the leadership of Sir Robert Menzies and re-instituted in 1983-84 during Bob Hawke's tenure.

The first time a Prime Minister's XI faced an England XI was in 1954-55 when the visitors, led by Len Hutton, claimed victory by 31 runs.

Since that time, England has dominated the event, with the head-to-head record standing at 6-2 in favour of the tourists.

The last time England travelled to Manuka Oval, it claimed victory by 16 runs over the Prime Minister's XI captained by Mark Taylor.

That loss however is one of only three that the Prime Minister's XI has encountered in its past 14 matches against the touring teams.

The match is also likely to prove an important part of England's build-up for the VB Series as it opens its campaign just three days later with a day-night clash against Australia in Sydney.

Tickets for the PM's XI v England XI match are still available through Ticketek on (02) 6219 6666.