Lyon will lead the likes of Peter Handscomb, Peter Nevill, James Faulkner and Moises Henriques in the blockbuster clash with England in a Twenty20 match at Manuka Oval on Friday.

Throw Sean Abbott, Nic Maddinson and Mitchell Swepson into the mix and you have one of the best Prime Minister's XI teams in recent memory.

Canberra product Blake Macdonald has been named 12th man, marking the third consecutive season in which the Prime Minister's XI has not had a local player in the final XI.

But Cricket ACT chief executive Cameron French is buoyed by the fact Canberra will host an impressive outfit featuring a raft of domestic and international stars.

"With eight of the 11 having international experience, it's the strongest PM's side in a long time. We hope people get down and support," French said.

"I know Brad [Haddin] and Nathan [Lyon] are really delighted to be back in the Canberra community and can't wait to get down and see everyone. Not only do they really like the Prime Minister's XI fixture, but a great opportunity to get back and see all of their friends and family while they're here."

Discarded Australian wicketkeeper Nevill will take the gloves and work under the watchful eye of Prime Minister's XI coach and former national gloveman Brad Haddin.

Nevill is one of six Sydney Sixers players in the XI, with the Melbourne Stars contributing three and the Brisbane Heat rounding out the side with two of their own.

He's not the only one with a point to prove either.

Dumped from Australia's Test squad midway through the Ashes, three-time Prime Minister's XI representative Handscomb will relish the chance to bounce back on the international scene.

Maddinson has been given the nod after his recent BBL blitz that featured stellar knocks of 62 (31) and 61 (26) - which included 24 runs off one Faulkner over.

Faulkner has also been included and will be desperate to repeat his heroics of the past against England, as he looks to make amends for being left out of Australia's tri-series squad.

National talent manager Greg Chappell has dubbed the side "one of the most experienced" Prime Minister's XI outfits assembled in some time.

"It's pleasing to put together a really strong side to represent the Prime Minister's XI, this is one of the most experienced teams we've assembled for this clash in a number of years," Chappell said.

"Nathan Lyon gives this team plenty of leadership, with the support of Brad Haddin as coach. It's pleasing to have a number of other players in this squad with international experience, including Peter Handscomb, Peter Nevill and James Faulkner.

"It's also a great opportunity for a number of players in strong form in the Big Bash League, including Nic Maddinson and Sean Abbott as well as emerging talents such as Mitchell Swepson and Brendan Doggett.

"We're confident this team can give England a real test ahead of the Twenty20 tri-series."

Only once in the past decade has the Prime Minister's XI crowd figure exceeded 10,000, with the concept's first Twenty20 match drawing just 7120 for last summer's bout with Sri Lanka.

But officials are confident a bigger crowd will be on hand for a match against England, which is usually the fixture's biggest drawcard.

While there won't be a local player in the Prime Minister's XI, a host of Canberra's best premier cricketers will get a chance to shine in a curtain-raiser for an ACT XI against Hong Kong.

Prime Minister's XI squad: Nathan Lyon - Sydney Sixers ©, Sean Abbott - Sydney Sixers, Brendan Doggett - Brisbane Heat, James Faulkner - Melbourne Stars, Sebastian Gotch - Melbourne Stars, Peter Handscomb - Melbourne Stars, Moises Henriques - Sydney Sixers, Daniel Hughes - Sydney Sixers, Nic Maddinson - Sydney Sixers, Peter Nevill - Sydney Sixers, Mitchell Swepson - Brisbane Heat, Blake MacDonald - ACT (12th man). Coach: Brad Haddin

PRIME MINISTER'S XI

Friday: Prime Minister's XI v England at Manuka Oval, 7:15pm. Curtain-raiser: ACT XI v Hong Kong at Manuka Oval, 2:50pm.