Kids watch a few balls before inspiration takes over and has them starting their own game on the other side of the white picket fence, and punters can grab a beer without fear of missing half an innings.

This is what the Prime Minister's XI has become. This is what cricket needs to embrace.

Gone are the days of the Prime Minister's XI fixture being Canberra's jewel in the crown. A crowd of 3106 watching the clash at Manuka Oval on Thursday, following last summer's 1824, serves as proof.

The goalposts moved long ago when Australian teams made their way into Canberra. Rather than lamenting the end of an era, perhaps this is an opportunity to appreciate Canberra's growing presence on the calendar and a new beginning for the annual game.

It fits the mould of a boutique carnival event, where you don't need to rush to get tickets. You can call a mate after knocking off work and head along, because why wouldn't you?

Kids can run around on the hill and you don't need to shuffle between people to finally get to your seats and have that awkward conversation with those who nicked them.

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The Prime Minister's XI has a storied history and its place on the calendar should be respected by picking the best available team boasting marquee players hunting Australian call-ups. A new era does not mean it can be cast aside.

Cricket ACT chief executive James Allsopp is determined to rebuild interest in the fixture. Maybe 5000 or so fans is where we set the bar.

"Even though we would have liked more people, there is no doubt about that, we are determined to keep trying to build that crowd up again," Allsopp said.

"Absolutely, it was a big improvement on last year. We said we wanted to reinvigorate the game and we are on the way to doing that in terms of how many people turned out and the quality of the fixture.

"It was great to see kids running around playing cricket on the hill. The format is very exciting and generally brings two teams closer together, so that's what we've got in store for the rest of the summer.

"I thought it was a really good night and it was a great way to launch Canberra's summer of Twenty20 cricket."

Prime Minister Scott Morrison borrowed a pair of spikes and ran drinks to the players, and Allsopp says he is already talking a three-peat next summer.

Parents sat with sons and daughters talking tactics and which players they should keep an eye on.

That's Peter Siddle, he played for Australia. This Harry Nielsen looks like one to watch. Oh, and there's Djali Bloomfield - he plays for Weston Creek Molonglo.

And didn't Bloomfield make the most of his opportunity, taking two wickets as he became the ACT's first representative in the XI in four years.

Capitalise on it. The nature of the fixture's place on the schedule means players are arriving from all parts and some don't arrive until game day, so organising fan days may be a stretch.

So tap into the local market. Say Bloomfield went around again, why not have Creek juniors invited into the inner sanctum, to a training session or into the dressing rooms?

It could boost crowds and reinforce a sense of connection between junior players and their pathway to the top.

But first, officials will set their sights on luring those 3106 fans back for Australia's Twenty20 international clash with Pakistan at Manuka Oval on November 5 - the first the men's side has played in Canberra.

If you want to create a carnival atmosphere, there could be no better day to play it than on the back of the Melbourne Cup.

"We're hopeful we're going to have a really big crowd. Steve Smith is coming to town, people are going to be talking about Smith like they talk about Bradman, so the chance to see him in the flesh [will be great]," Allsopp said.

"David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Aaron Finch, there is so much to like about that team and they're coming up against the best Twenty20 team in the world at the moment.

"There might be a few rough heads there after the races but that's okay. We're hoping it will be a great day of sport coming from the Melbourne Cup, which is obviously an iconic event, into our first ever men's Twenty20 international, it will be really well supported."