16 October 2019

Jason Gillespie to coach Prime Minister's XI for Manuka clash with Sri Lanka

| Cricket ACT
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Peter Siddle and Dan Christian with Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Peter Siddle and Dan Christian meet with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to discuss Prime Minister’s XI match against Sri Lanka on 24 October at Manuka Oval.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel have announced the complete Prime Minister’s XI squad, to be coached by former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie.

The current coach of the Adelaide Strikers and English county side Sussex, Gillespie will oversee an outfit boasting five players with international experience, including co-captains Peter Siddle and Dan Christian.

The selection of five more players – Ben Cutting, Chris Green, Harry Nielsen, Jordan Silk and local 12th man Daniel Leerdam – completes the squad for the Manuka Oval fixture, to take place on Thursday, 24 October.

Peter Siddle

Peter Siddle discusses the Prime Minister’s XI match against Sri Lanka on 24 October at Manuka Oval.

2019-20 Prime Minister’s XI squad:
Harry Nielsen (SA) – wk
Jordan Silk (Tas)
Chris Lynn (Qld)
Jason Sangha (NSW)
Dan Christian (Vic) – co-captain
Ben Cutting (Qld)
Chris Green (NSW)
Dan Fallins (NSW)
Peter Siddle (Vic) – co-captain
Djali Bloomfield (ACT)
Fawad Ahmed (Vic)
Daniel Leerdam (ACT) – 12th man
Jason Gillespie – Coach.

Prime Minister Morrison met Siddle and Christian at Parliament House where they discussed the makeup of the side and their expectations for the match. Siddle and Christian then spoke to the media at Manuka Oval.

Siddle called the PM’s XI fixture the “true start to the Australian summer” and believes the match will have heightened importance this year as a valuable chance for players to impress selectors leading up to the ICC T20 World Cup.

“It makes it exciting that the side that’s been picked has a handful of guys who are looking for selection in the World Cup and are probably a legitimate chance of getting the call-up.”

Siddle also discussed the inclusion of local player Djali Bloomfield in the XI.

“I’ve heard he bowls fast, good yorkers … I’d love to see him do well out here in front of his home crowd. Playing against good opposition, if he does well there could be an opportunity anywhere – in state cricket or in the BBL.”

Peter Siddle and Dan Christian meet with Canberra media to discuss Prime Ministers XI match against Sri Lanka on October 24 at Manuka Oval.

Peter Siddle and Dan Christian meet with Canberra media to discuss Prime Minister’s XI match against Sri Lanka on October 24 at Manuka Oval.

The Prime Minister’s XI will play a talented Sri Lanka side at Manuka Oval on 24 October with play commencing at 7:10 pm local time. Sri Lanka are fresh from defeating the top-ranked T20 side, Pakistan, in a 3-0 whitewash. Sri Lanka will be looking to continue their winning form.

Tickets to the Prime Minister’s XI match are available at www.cricket.com.au/tickets/canberra.

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