Officials have been working to lure crowds back to what was once Canberra cricket's crowning jewel after a record low of 1824 for the turned out for the fixture last summer.

But history could be set to repeat itself with only 1536 fans having secured their seats for the Twenty20 clash so far, three days before gates open.

The PM's XI clash with Sri Lanka will launch a jam-packed summer of cricket at Manuka Oval on Thursday.

Twenty matches including internationals, BBL games, WNCL and national second XI clashes will take place in the capital across six months.

But Cricket ACT's high performance manager Olivia Thornton says a saturated calendar should not affect the turnout at the PM's XI.

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"We're really proud to host this particular fixture," Thornton said.

"I don't think we've got too much cricket. It's a nice mix and this is another one of those fixtures that's a little bit different, so we need to embrace that as well.

"It's fallen off the radar over the past few years but we've got the team, we've got the weather and the ground is in immaculate condition.

"We want to be able to launch our summer or cricket and be proud of the level and quality of cricket being played in our region."

Officials are confident a host of big names and a distinct local flavour will help attract more than 2000 fans to Manuka Oval.

ACT product Djali Bloomfield joins a sprinkling of international stars in Chris Lynn, Ben Cutting, Chris Green and Fawad Ahmed, while Peter Siddle and Dan Christian have been named as co-captains.

Bloomfield will be the first local player to feature in the PM's XI since Matt Condon faced England in 2015.

"It's an opportunity to get back on the map," Thornton said.

"We haven't had a local flavour in a while and [people are more likely to go] when you have a genuine touch point with it.

"It's an impressive outfit. Djali is playing in the XI, which is a fantastic opportunity for him but also an opportunity for our community to support some local players. There's been a lot of dialogue through the club network that they'll be turning up.

"Those names do attract kids who want to replicate what their heroes are doing."

The short-form specialists will be eyeing to make a statement to national selectors ahead of next year's T20 World Cup on Manuka Oval's pitch perfect deck.

An ACT XI will face a Newcastle XI in a T20 curtain-raiser, giving local stars the perfect chance to prepare for Canberra's return to the Australian country championships.

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.