The Prime Minister's XI's clash with England has traditionally been the biggest drawcard, but the atmosphere at Manuka Oval suggests this is a fixture with an identity crisis.
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Only once since 2006 has the PM's XI crowd figure exceeded 10,000, and shifting the annual fixture to the Twenty20 format hasn't resulted in a spike.
The fixture has come under fire for losing its reputation as a genuine launching pad for higher honours - former Australian captain Allan Border said last summer this fixture was in danger of losing all relevance.
Something has to give. So how about this?
Should the Prime Minister's XI squad be turned into a Big Bash League All Stars outfit?
Imagine the likes of Brendon McCullum, Rashid Khan and Dwayne Bravo linking up with Andrew Tye, Ben Laughlin, D'Arcy Short and Alex Carey.
If the fixture isn't going to be restored as a representative trial - keeping in mind there is room for the next generation to get a taste of international cricket - this would keep it relevant.
Of course, building the Prime Minister's XI around a BBL All Stars concept would mean the schedule needs some serious tinkering.
The timing of the fixture this year meant any players featuring in the BBL finals were rubbed out of contention, while the next generation of stars were in New Zealand for the under 19 World Cup.
Australian Twenty20 stars were busy preparing for an international tri-series beginning the day after the Prime Minister's XI ran around.
Where does the fixture fit next season?
An All Stars concept could be viable next summer - the ICC's future tours program has Australia scheduled to play five one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals against South Africa in November 2018.
Then there is a three-game ODI series against Sri Lanka following the two-match Test series - one of which will be hosted in Canberra - in January and early February.
If the All Stars concept was to come to fruition, the BBL would need to finish a touch earlier - this season's final won't be played until two days after the Prime Minister's XI match.
However it is more likely the All Stars concept won't see the light of day next season, which raises a couple of questions about Canberra's summer of cricket.
It is understood the Sydney Thunder will look to bring another BBL match to Manuka Oval after their first foray into the capital drew a sell-out crowd.
The waters are further muddied when considering Canberra will host a maiden Test match when Australia face Sri Lanka in a clash slated for January.
So when do we host the Prime Minister's XI?
If officials want to play it as a Twenty20 without implementing an All Stars concept, it must be played in November against South Africa as the Proteas ramp up preparations to face Australia in the short format.
If it is restored as a one-day game, then we have two windows - November against South Africa, or January against Sri Lanka.
If no changes are made, wedging the Prime Minister's XI clash in late January or early February would render it almost meaningless - players wouldn't be able to force their way into contention for Australia while the BBL finals would be heating up.
It begs the question - should the Prime Minister's XI match be hosted every season?
There is no doubt the fixture has lost its crown as Canberra cricket's showpiece event given Manuka Oval could now host an international and a BBL game every summer.
Scrapping the contest for just one season could have dire implications, so it is vital the Prime Minister's XI rediscovers an identity.
