Dean has been the talk of Canberra cricket in recent weeks after his impressive half-century for the Prime Minister's XI was backed up with a triple-century for Queanbeyan last weekend.

Cairns was a commentator for Fox Sports through the Big Bash and used his time to talk to the coaches about the possible recruitment of Dean and his brother Blake.

But with limited exposure in the capital, Cairns fears Dean will struggle to take the next step in his cricketing ambitions unless he takes his career interstate.

''I was talking to the coaches and I constantly mentioned the Dean brothers,'' Cairns said.

''I think Blake can be dynamic in the T20 format and I think Jono can be successful in all three forms [of cricket] for a state team.

''They could easily be snapped up and should be snapped up for a franchise for next summer.

''It's a tough decision [for Jono Dean], but ultimately international cricketers have to make sacrifices and he has the ability to take his career forward.''

Cairns and his father Lance will go to the one-day international at Manuka Oval on Wednesday.

It's the first time the Australian cricket team has played in Canberra and is part of the capital's centenary celebrations.

Cairns was a commentator for the Prime Minister's XI match against the West Indies last week, but said Canberra would get a ''real cricket'' experience when Australia takes on the West Indies.

''The PM's game, with all respect, is a festival game,'' Cairns said. ''People play in it like there's no consequence. But [Wednesday] is an international with careers on the line and it's a different dynamic.''

Chris and Lance Cairns and former England run machine Graeme Hick hosted a coaching clinic for the North Canberra Gungahlin Cricket Club on Tuesday night.

Lance, 63, was one of New Zealand's most explosive all-rounders during his career and his son wanted him to impart his knowledge on Canberra's club cricketers.

''The one thing that first struck me when I moved [to Australia] was the lack of ex-international players that pass through at a grade and junior level to help out club cricket,'' Chris Cairns said.

''It's nice to get some players coming down and they can help out and inspire the next generation.''