Former Australian one-day international batsman Jimmy Maher believes the Prime Minister's XI match should stay at 50 overs and not switch to the Twenty20 format.
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A capacity crowd of 12,500 is expected to pack into Manuka Oval on Tuesday to see fast-bowling great Brett Lee lead the invitational side against England.
The PM's XI fixture has traditionally been a one-day game, but could come under pressure to change given the popularity of the Big Bash League.
Maher played 26 one-day internationals for Australia and was a part of the World Cup-winning squad in 2003.
In Canberra on Friday to promote the Australian country championships, he said the PM's XI game should remain the way it is, given the domestic 50-over competition, the Ryobi Cup, was held during a four-week block in September-October.
''The 50-over game still has a good place, particular now with the one-day internationals [against England] coming up,'' Maher said.
''No domestic cricketer has played 50-over cricket recently, so it's important we try and preserve as many of those games as possible.
''We've got enough Twenty20. We don't need to saturate the market with it.
''While there's a 50-over World Cup, it's never going to die.''
Australia will be keen to keep the foot on the throat on England when it begins a five-match ODI series on Sunday at the MCG.
''They will want to continue their dominance they've had over England this summer and launch into what's going to be a very tough tour in South Africa,'' Maher said.
''Cricket's all about momentum and how the team's gelled and performed this year.
''They need to put England away quite comfortably heading into next year's World Cup and going into South Africa.''
Maher featured twice in the PM's XI, first in 1997-98 and again in 2000-01.
The PM's XI comprises a mix of up-and-coming stars, players on the fringe of international selection and a retired great.
The Australian country championships resume on Saturday.
They are in Canberra despite the ACT not fielding a team.
Australian Country Cricket Championships: NSW versus South Australia at Footy Park; Victoria versus Queensland at Kingston Oval; Western Australia versus East Asia Pacific at Keith Tournier Memorial Oval.
