Peter Siddle says the Prime Minister's XI is set to re-emerge as a genuine Australian selection trial as the fixture rediscovers its place in a crowded cricket landscape.
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Prime Minister's XI co-captains Siddle and Dan Christian say the looming clash with Sri Lanka will open doors for those eyeing next year's Twenty20 World Cup.
Jason Gillespie will coach a side boasting a handful of limited overs specialists in World Cup hopeful Chris Lynn, Ben Cutting, Chris Green and Fawad Ahmed.
Jordan Silk joins ACT product Djali Bloomfield in an XI rounded out by a sprinkling of rising stars in Jason Sangha, Daniel Fallins and Harry Nielsen.
Officials are desperate to lure crowds back to what was once Canberra cricket's showpiece event after a record low of 1824 witnessed a boilover against South Africa last summer.
Now the prospect of watching stars fight for a ticket to the World Cup could draw the punters back through the gates for a date with Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval on October 24.
"There's a few guys in this squad trying to get in that World Cup squad for later next year and be a part of that," Siddle said.
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"It makes it exciting that in the squad that has been picked, there's probably a handful of guys looking to get selection in the World Cup and are probably a legitimate chance of getting the call-up.
"It's going to be a good hit out for everyone, not just the young guys in the squad, but a few of the older guys that are a chance of getting selected.
"That's the exciting thing, we get to play a Twenty20 here against Sri Lanka to start the summer and then they go into the series against Australia. That shows the importance of it for the touring side.
"They are going to be taking it seriously because it is their tour match for the start of their international campaign here. That makes it exciting."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison's outfit is tailor-made for Twenty20 cricket and looms as a huge chance to knock off Sri Lanka ahead of their series against Australia.
Chances to make a statement to Australian selectors won't come much bigger for someone like Lynn on a deck traditionally regarded as a batsman's paradise.
Lynn was overlooked for the Australian squad for their looming Twenty20 games and an impressive showing against an international outfit would send selectors a timely reminder of his ability.
"Hopefully he gets off to a flyer and puts a show on like we have seen in the Big Bash over the past few years," Christian said.
"I'm not sure what cricket he has been playing recently but he is an absolute superstar of the game.
"It's a really good chance for all of us to show our wares somewhere other than a Big Bash or a Twenty20 competition around the world. It's a good opportunity for all of us.
"It's great for all the guys in the team to have that opportunity to play against an international team and try and put your name up in lights with a successful performance."
PRIME MINISTER'S XI
Thursday, October 24: Twenty20 tour match - Prime Minister's XI v Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval, 7.10pm. Tickets from Ticketek.
Prime Minister's XI squad: Peter Siddle (c), Dan Christian (c), Chris Lynn, Jason Sangha, Fawad Ahmed, Daniel Fallins, Djali Bloomfield, Ben Cutting, Jordan Silk, Chris Green, Harry Nielsen, Dan Leerdam (12th man). Coach: Jason Gillespie.
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports journalist for The Canberra Times.
