England will return to Canberra this summer for a two-day, day-night cricket match against the Prime Minister’s XI under lights at Manuka Oval, in what promises to be a tightly watched warm-up ahead of the Ashes. The fixture, scheduled for Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November 2025, will mark the first time the historic clash is played with a pink Kookaburra ball.
This match will be England’s eleventh appearance in the Prime Minister’s XI tradition, coming a decade after Ian Bell’s thunderous 187 set the tone for a memorable win in 2015. Glenn Maxwell’s 136 in that same match remains one of the most talked-about innings ever played in Canberra.
The occasion lands amid a packed cricketing calendar and a burning Ashes rivalry that rarely cools. With the men’s Ashes series unfolding around the same time, the Canberra clash is expected to carry added fire, giving fans a taste of high-pressure cricket without the Test-match baggage. It’s not just a warm-up. For some, it may be a stepping stone or a statement.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, a self-confessed cricket tragic, said the match carried both sporting and cultural meaning.
“This year, we welcome an England XI to Manuka Oval for what promises to be a thrilling contest ahead of the greatest rivalry in cricket,” Albanese said. “Like many Australians I grew up admiring, and begrudging, the brilliance of players like Ian Botham, David Gower, and Graham Gooch. I look forward to meeting with the selectors to finalise a PM’s XI squad that showcases the best available talent from across Australia to take on the strong English team.”
The fixture, long known for balancing prestige with purpose, has featured future stars and veterans alike. Past editions have offered players a platform to impress selectors ahead of marquee tours or packed domestic seasons.
Cricket Australia Chair Mike Baird said England’s confirmation added weight to what’s already shaping up to be a season of heavyweight matchups.
“We’re delighted to confirm England’s involvement in this year’s Prime Minister’s XI match in what will be one of the highlights of a brilliant summer of cricket,” Baird said. “It’s a fixture that honours the legacy of the game and provides a platform for emerging talent to shine. While the match may still be four months away, anticipation is already building.”
Canberra will also host two other major internationals: a men’s T20 International between Australia and India on 29 October and a women’s T20 between the same nations on 19 February next year. For Manuka Oval, it’s a revival of its status as a genuine cricket destination, not just a stopover.
The PM’s XI match stands apart for more than just the cricket. Over the years, it has become a cultural handshake between Australia and visiting nations, often drawing attention for who gets picked just as much as how they play. The added twist this year—the pink ball under lights—will give players and selectors a handy gauge of form in night conditions, especially with day-night Tests now a feature of the broader calendar.
Selection discussions are underway, with Albanese set to consult Cricket Australia Chair of Selectors George Bailey and selector Tony Dodemaide in the lead-up. The line-up is expected to feature a mix of domestic standouts and national hopefuls—names that could find themselves in Baggy Green contention before too long.
For the ACT cricket community, it’s a rare double treat. Families, junior cricketers, and club fans alike are expected to fill the stands, not just for the cricket, but for the atmosphere and nostalgia that the PM’s XI always manages to stir.
Tickets are already on sale.
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