Australia's cricketers may have been battling New Zealand on the pitch, but the real test was at the white fence where young fans jostled for space to extend a hopeful arm for autographs.
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It was a mission to collect them all, with the spectrum of experience in the 2015 Prime Minister's XI team including both Hussey brothers and year 11 Daramalan College student Ben Taylor in at No. 12.
Wielding a miniature wooden bat already covered with black ink, 11-year-old Fin McCrae said he was most excited about seeing Adam Voges and Mike Hussey make some big hits with the pink ball.
His mate, Ethan Kirk, 12, said the team was looking pretty good this year but it was always a fun match to see. "It's really exciting. You just never know what's going to happen because it's always a different team," he said.
Over on the Manuka Oval lawns Laura Fisher was disguised in a green and gold jumper and zinc, but friends have exposed her as a Canadian. It's her first cricket match, but she is hopeful of seeing a few of Australia's up-and-coming cricketers, and has already snagged Joe Burns' autograph on a plastic "Australia" flag.
"This could be on eBay and this could be worth a lot of money," she said. "Even though it's like $2 at the Reject Shop."
Still getting over the fact that they were enjoying sport outside in October, Ms Fisher said: "It's going to get more intense as the game goes on ... but I"m feeling it."
"Feel the Burn(s)," a friend chipped in, with a nod to the right-handed batsman fielding nearby.
The upcoming test at the Gabba against New Zealand meant a little bit more excitement for spectators as the Australian players competed against each other as well as the opposition.
"[The team looks] very good. They've got about five or six internationals in this team, it's good to see them giving these guys a chance to prove themselves, fight for a position in the national side," said Mark Chavasse, dressed in the traditional cricket spectator fashion with a faux moustache fixed to his lip under a giant sombrero.
The threat of rain looked to have passed, but a voice from the loudspeakers warned spectators they could still burn under the clouds and advised people to stay hydrated for the night ahead.
"The weather's holding up. Last year I think was 42 degrees and we were out of here by 6 o'clock," Mr Chavasse said.
