An England XI will clash with the Prime Minister’s XI in a two-day pink-ball match ahead of the day-night Ashes Test. The match, which will be played at the Manuka Oval on November 29 and 30, will begin four days after the opening Test in Perth and conclude three days prior to the pink-ball Test in Brisbane. The match will mark the first time England will play a multi-day game against PM’s XI – a shift from typically a one-day fixture.
The tradition was disrupted in the 2022-23 summer when the PM’s XI played a four-day game against West Indies. Meanwhile, the game will provide the visiting England side a massive chance to get used to the pink ball ahead of the day-night second game in Brisbane.
"I look forward to meeting with the selectors to finalise a PM’s XI squad that showcases the best available talent from across Australia to take on the strong English team,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said as quoted by Cricket Australia.
England will kick off their Ashes 2025-26 tour by playing an intra-squad match against England Lions at the Lilac Hill Park in Perth between November 13 and November 15.