Hussey to Lead PM's XI in Pink-ball Match Against New Zealand

Melbourne: Former Test batsman Mike Hussey will captain the Australian Prime Minister's XI against New Zealand in Canberra in October under lights with a pink ball, Cricket Australia said Thursday.

Hussey, who retired in 2013, played 79 Tests for Australia and 185 one-day internationals and was picked late last year to be captain for the PM's XI against England in January, but injury ruled him out and Chris Rogers took the role.

"It's a tremendous honour to be selected again to captain the Prime Minister's XI," said Hussey.

"Having been selected last year, I was unable to play due to injury but I know how important this fixture is on the Australian cricketing calendar, and it is a great tradition."

The match will be played under lights on October 23 at Manuka Oval, kickstarting the international summer of cricket in Australia in which they host New Zealand, the West Indies and India.

A pink ball, developed to be more visible to players under lights than the traditional red one, will be used.

Despite the misgivings of some players, a pink ball will also be used for the first time ever in a Test match in Adelaide this November when Australia take on New Zealand in a day-night fixture.

The rest of the PM's XI will be chosen by Cricket Australia's selection panel with input from Prime Minister Tony Abbott in the coming weeks.

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