The Prime Minister's XI will face the West Indies at Manuka Oval on Tuesday, January 29 in the first match in Canberra to be held under lights. Eight days later, a full-strength Australian team will arrive in the national capital for a one-day international with the West Indies on February 6.

Last summer's PM's XI match against Sri Lanka in February was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Cricket ACT is responsible for organising the game, and decided to self-insure the match after baulking at a rain insurance cost of about $30,000.

The washout resulted in the refund of $110,000 in ticket sales along with the loss of potential walk-up revenue. That financial blowout forced Cricket ACT to scale back some of its development programs.

''The cost of rain insurance has become a little more manageable as time has gone on,'' Cricket ACT chief executive Mark Vergano said.

''We obviously suffered a lot last year, but we were still viable.

''But you don't want to put yourself in that situation again, so we'll be taking more precaution.

''It's more about the ramifications [if it does rain].''

The PM's XI match is the only state or international fixture in Canberra which Cricket ACT will be financially liable for.

All the other games of the unprecedented summer of cricket as part of the territory's centenary celebrations are underwritten by Cricket Australia.

Initial work on installing lights at Manuka Oval is underway, with the light mastheads to arrive from Britain in the middle of November.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

No Test events have been pencilled in at this stage before the lights are used under match conditions for the first time.

Cricket ACT has consulted with officials at Bellerive Oval, the most recent ground in Australia to install lights, to understand the challenges of hosting day-night cricket.

Vergano was confident the closeness of the two marquee games wouldn't diminish the standing of the PM's XI game. ''It's certainly interesting for Canberra, it's the first time we've been put in this position,'' he said.

''The historic nature of both games makes both games work.

''I think people will really want to be a part of the first time the lights are switched on and the Australian team's first appearance here for an ODI.''

The PM's XI match will also mark the return of master blaster Chris Gayle, who famously belted a rollicking 146 from just 89 balls, including eight towering sixes, in the corresponding game in 2010.

As for the make-up of the invitational team, a headline player of the ilk of Brett Lee and Brad Haddin hasn't been confirmed.

''It hasn't been discussed as yet, we'll leave that to the Australian selectors,'' Vergano said.

''We'll be pursuing that, but we're looking at the fantastic talent, people like Mitch Marsh coming back, John Hastings on the comeback trail.

''We're looking at quality players and up and coming stars.''