Cricket fans are in for a treat as England XI will go head-to-head with Australia’s Prime Minister’s XI in a high-intensity two-day pink-ball match at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on November 29 and 30.
The fixture will serve as a vital warm-up ahead of the marquee day-night Ashes Test scheduled at Brisbane’s Gabba, starting just three days later. This clash offers England a prime opportunity to acclimatise to Australian conditions and the pink ball under lights.
Traditionally held as a one-day affair, the PM’s XI match has evolved, notably becoming a four-day contest in 2022 against West Indies and shortened due to rain last year. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed excitement, highlighting the tradition and competitive value of this encounter. “An Ashes series is something every cricket fan looks forward to,” he noted, adding that the squad will showcase Australia’s rising cricket talent.
The two-day match will begin four days after the first Ashes Test in Perth and promises to set the tone for the remaining series, combining youthful flair with seasoned grit.
