Ponting To Captain Prime Minister's XI In Canberra

Ponting To Captain Prime Minister's XI In Canberra

Ricky Ponting may be coming under pressure for his place in Test cricket but he will captain the Prime Minister's XI in January

©REUTERS / Action Images

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting will lead the Australian Prime Minister's XI in a one-day game against the touring West Indians in Canberra on 29th January.

Manuka Oval will host the match and a capacity crowd is expected for the first ever match under floodlights at the ground.

According to report, Ponting is under pressure to perform in the third Test against South Africa in Perth with his place in the side at risk but he is at least guaranteed one more outing when he takes charge of the PM's XI.

Ponting is 5/1 with bet365 to be his side's leading scorer in the first innings of the third Test in Perth.

"It’s a big honour for me to be selected as captain of the Prime Minister’s XI," Ponting said.

"It will be an exciting team of emerging cricketers and I’m looking forward to leading them against the West Indies on January 29."

The rest of the team will be announced in January after it is selected b the National Selection Panel with input from Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

© Cricket World 2012