The Prime Minister's XI match has lost one of its biggest drawcards, with Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon ruled out of Friday's match at Manuka Oval with a thigh injury.
Lyon's loss leaves a big hole in an inexperienced PM's XI and robs the public of seeing one of the team's few Test stars take on World Cup runners-up Sri Lanka.
The former ACT off-spinner has carried the right thigh sprain throughout the Test series against India and is expected to be sidelined for two to three weeks.
Brad Haddin will captain the PM's XI after the Test wicketkeeper was yesterday left out of Australia's one-day international squad to face India and Sri Lanka in a tri-series.
Peter Forrest will still take his place as Haddin's deputy despite being named in Australia's ODI team.
The first match of the tri-series is on Sunday but Forrest did not hesitate to still make the trip to Canberra.
''I can't wait for [the Prime Minister's XI match]. Obviously it is a huge honour to be selected and one that I've watched for the last couple of years ... and I've always wanted to take part in,'' he said.
The 26-year-old was also looking forward to the opportunity to catch up with his good mate Haddin.
Haddin mentored Forrest as he was coming through the NSW cricket ranks and the now Brisbane Heat captain will use the opportunity to keep learning from the Test keeper.
''Brad has one of the best cricket brains ... I will just try to learn off Brad and do want I can as a leader,'' Forrest said.
Forrest thought he was still dreaming when he received a call from national chairman of selectors John Inverarity yesterday morning.
''I had just woken up and thought the phone-call was my alarm going off but when I saw it was John Inverarity, I woke up real fast,'' he said.
''I never thought in my wildest dreams I would be playing for Australia this soon. Deep down I always hoped I was good enough to get there, so it's happy days.''
Forrest credits his move to Queensland this season as the catalyst for his selection after being given the opportunity by Bulls coach Darren Lehmann after struggling to hold down a place with NSW.
Lyon has been replaced in the PM's team by Queensland leg-spinner Cameron Boyce.
Boyce has played 15 first-class matches for the Bulls and Forrest believes the 22-year-old could be a surprise packet on Friday.
NSW's Kurtis Patterson, who became the youngest Australian to score a first-class century on debut for the Blues in November, has been ruled out of the match with a back injury.
His place has been taken by Victorian Meyrick Buchanan, who played for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League.
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