Lehmann to lead Prime Minister's XI
Southern Redbacks' captain Darren Lehmann will lead the Prime Minister's XI in its one-day match against the New Zealanders at Manuka Oval in Canberra on 6 December, it was announced today.
Lehmann is the only player with Test experience in a 12-man squad chosen by the National Selection Panel in consultation with the Prime Minister's office, but the line-up still boasts an impressive array of talent.
The squad is:
(NB: Twelfth man to be named on the day.)
Umpires:
Among the batsmen is Western Australian Clinton Dann, who claimed man-of-the-match honours in the inaugural Prime Minister's XI v Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) XI match at Manuka Oval in April 2001.
The talented left-hand batsman scored an unbeaten 87 for the ATSIC XI in the historic match.
Also included in the side are batsmen Michael Clarke of the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Bulls' Martin Love. Both players have impressive scores behind them this summer.
The bowling attack includes New South Wales Blues' right-armer Stuart Clark, who has claimed 11 first-class victims this season, including a haul of 5-47 against the Victorian Bushrangers in Melbourne. Brad Young of the Southern Redbacks and Victorian Bushranger Cameron White have been selected to bowl spin for the Prime Minister's XI.
Brad Haddin, formerly of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and now with the New South Wales Blues, is likely to keep wicket in the match.
Two ACT players have been selected - 19 year-old wicket-keeper/batsman David Dawson and 24 year-old all-rounder Jack Smith.
The Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. John Howard MP, said that the match had become an established fixture on Australia's sporting calendar.
"The annual Prime Minister's XI fixture against the international touring team is a much anticipated sporting event in Canberra," Mr Howard said.
"The match against New Zealand is no exception. Australia and New Zealand both have marvellous histories of achievement on the sporting field, and many memorable contests involving our two nations have taken place over the years.
"I thank the Australian Cricket Board for its continuing support of the Prime Minister's XI matches," he said.
In keeping with tradition the Prime Minister has nominated the captain of the home team.
This year's captain Darren Lehmann said: "This is a rare privilege and I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to captain the Prime Minister's XI, especially as I am following in the footsteps of great names such as Sir Donald Bradman, Allan Border and Richie Benaud who have all performed the role."
Lehmann's men will be trying to maintain the home side's recent record in the fixture that has seen it lose just two of the past 13 matches.
The 6 December match is the third time that the New Zealanders have travelled to the nation's capital to battle against the Prime Minister's XI.
The first match in 1985-86, was abandoned due to rain. In 1987-88, the New Zealanders, then under the captaincy of current team manager Jeff Crowe, triumphed by 37 runs.
Tickets for the match are still available through Ticketek on (02) 6219 6666.
© 2001 Australian Cricket Board
| Teams | Australia, New Zealand. |
| Players/Umpires | Darren Lehmann, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, David Dawson, Brad Haddin, Martin Love, Shane Watson, Cameron White, Damien Wright, Brad Young. |
| Tours | New Zealand in Australia |
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