Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today announced the launch of the 2011 Prime Minister's XI cricket match in Canberra next January.
The match is a showcase for up and coming Australian cricketers and this year's event will support the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
The Prime Minister was represented at today's launch at Manuka Oval by Minister Arbib and her partner Tim Mathieson, in his capacity as Men's Health Ambassador.
Prostate cancer affects 200,000 men in Australia each year and the Prime Minister applauded the Foundation's initiatives to raise awareness of symptoms, early detection and treatment options.
With the January 10 match being played just three days after the end of the Ashes series, there is certain to be heightened interest in the outcome.
This will be the seventh match between the PM's XI and England, with the PM's XI winning four matches to England's two.
The Prime Minister's XI was first played in 1951 against West Indies and was reinstated in the cricket calendar in 1983-84 under Prime Minister Bob Hawke. The match has been played annually since then.
Senator Arbib thanked match sponsors ACT Cricket and Canberra Investment Corporation Australia (CIC) for supporting the game, which has become an important fixture on the Australian cricket calendar.
The Prime Minister's XI continues the Australian Government's committed to helping develop the next generation of Australian cricketers.
Earlier this year the Government invested $17.5 million in the Cricket Australia Centre of Excellence in Brisbane as part of our broader commitment to nurturing sporting talent.
Tickets for the event are on sale through Ticketek. The event is expected to attract a sell-out crowd.