The greatest wicketkeeper in Australian cricket history, Adam Gilchrist, leads the list of Prime Minister's XI captaincy candidates to take on England at Manuka Oval in January.
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Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich loom as the most likely contenders for the job as Cricket Australia targets a crowd of more than 10,000 for the day-night fixture on January 14.
It has become tradition that the PM's XI team is led by a former Australian player who has retired in the past five years.
An announcement is likely before Christmas and ticket sales have been strong with England arriving in Australia for the Ashes.
Gilchrist, 41, would be a massive drawcard for the PM's XI game.
In the 2006-07 Ashes, Gilchrist smashed 100 from just 57 balls in Perth as Australia cruised to a series triumph.
Cricket ACT will meet ACT government and AFL officials in coming weeks to negotiate events at a revamped Manuka Oval next year.
It also can be revealed the NSW Blues will play a Sheffield Shield match at Manuka Oval from March 11 to 14.
However, Cricket ACT will be forced to move two ACT Comets Futures League matches to accommodate the GWS Giants' pre-season AFL match at the venue.
The AFL has a two-week exclusion set up to make sure the centre square and cricket pitch area isn't too hard for its players.
The Comets had games scheduled from February 10 and February 24 while the Giants play the Sydney Swans in a pre-season fixture under lights on February 20.
The Giants' first premiership match at Manuka Oval is on April 12 against the Western Bulldogs.
That game will likely affect Cricket ACT's ability to host the first-grade grand final at the same venue from March 28 to 30.
Cricket ACT will be able to host its one-day first-grade grand final under lights at Manuka in January and a shield match between NSW and the Western Warriors.
Cricket ACT boss Mark Vergano said: ''We understand what happens at this time of year and that things are always going to be tight.''
Meanwhile, the Comets took first-innings points against Tasmania in Hobart on Tuesday.
After making 301, the Comets bowled the Tasmania second XI out for 268 with debutant Vele Dukoski and Josh Bennett claiming three wickets each.
