I am delighted that Mark Waugh will captain the Prime Minister';s XI for the match against England on Tuesday 10 December at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
Throughout the history of the Prime Minister';s XI matches, visits by the English cricket team have always been a much anticipated event for the national capital.
The 2002 match is no exception and I look forward to welcoming Nasser Hussain and his team to Canberra next week.
England will be meeting a Prime Minister';s XI team that consists of some of the most talented young players in Australia. The Prime Minister';s XI announced by the Australian Cricket Board today is as follows:
Mark Waugh (captain)
NSW
Matthew Bradley
NSW
Lee Carseldine
QLD
David Dawson
ACT
Brad Haddin
NSW
Shane Harwood
VIC
Mark Higgs
SA
Simon Katich
NSW
Ashley Noffke
QLD
Paul Rofe
SA
Cameron White
VIC
The match will be umpired by Bruce Oxenford from Queensland and Graham Clifton from the ACT.
The Prime Minister';s XI fixture would not be possible without the longstanding commitment of the Australian Cricket Board, for which I am very grateful.
Also, I wish to thank the ACT Cricket Association for the tremendous job they do every year in hosting this game.
The great cricketing tradition associated with an English touring team in Australia ensures that it will be a terrific day for everyone who attends.