Never in Tim Paine's wildest dreams would he have believed he would lead Australia onto Manuka Oval when he took his place behind the stumps for the Prime Minister's XI in 2006.
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That is just what he will do on February 1. What better way to kick off a countdown of 11 magic Manuka Oval moments than one of the most resounding wins in Prime Minister's XI history - against the old enemy, no less.
An impressive Prime Minister's XI outfit in the twilight of Australian cricket's golden era dented England's confidence ahead of their Ashes defence with a 166-run at Manuka Oval in November of 2006.
Phil Jaques was pressing for a Test recall against the nation he could very well have played for. The British passport holder was once approached about the prospect of representing the old enemy - he said no, because "my heart says Australia".
Jaques scored a dashing 112 from 110 balls in a man of the match performance while Western Australian Shaun Marsh nailed 78 not out (56), capped off by captain Cameron White's unbeaten 30 from just 14 rocks.
This was no second-rate English side either. Andrew Flintoff (1-55), James Anderson (1-65), Paul Collingwood (1-58), Ashley Giles (1-53) and Sajid Mahmood (1-97) were made to look like net bowlers.
If scoring a Prime Minister's XI record 5-347 wasn't scarring enough for the English, rapid quick Shaun Tait ripped the English apart on his way to 3-21 from eight overs.
Marcus Trescothick, Alistair Cook, Kevin Pietersen and Flintoff all failed to score double figures in the run chase as the English were bundled out for 181.
"I would assume at the start of the day they would have been trying to win the game so I'm not sure how it will affect them but I think it might put them under a bit more pressure in their tour games," White said post-match.
"If that helps the Australian team out in some way I guess we've done our job."
Nobody can be sure just how much of an impact a drubbing at the hands of the Prime Minister's XI had on the tourists, but for the sake of this story let's say it handed Ricky Ponting the Ashes urn.
Prime Minister John Howard was so impressed he said he would "strongly support" any moves to bring international cricket to Manuka Oval.
The whispers had been growing as far back as 2006 that Canberra could attract one-day internationals or Test matches.
It has been a long time coming, but Manuka Oval is about the get the jewel in the crown.
The Canberra Times is counting down 11 magical Manuka Oval moments ahead of an historic Test match between Australia and Sri Lanka on February 1.
Got a magic Manuka memory that should be on the list? Let us know at sport@canberratimes.com.au
