Chris Rogers has replaced the injured Mike Hussey as captain of the Prime Minister’s XI to face England at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Wednesday.
Hussey was withdrawn due to a calf injury he sustained while playing for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League on Friday.
In-form Rogers, who completed an Australia record sixth straight Test fifty on Friday, comes into the squad in Hussey’s place and will therefore be opposite number to Middlesex team-mate Eoin Morgan.
Rogers has frequently captained Morgan, including in last year’s LV= County Championship, but was led by the new England one-day skipper in 2014’s Royal London One-Day Cup.
Rogers, who is unlikely to represent Middlesex this year due to international commitments, said: “It’s a great honour for me to be selected as captain of the Prime Minister’s XI to take on England.
“This is an important fixture on the Australian cricketing calendar and is steeped in tradition.
“I'm looking forward to following in the footsteps of Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee and others in leading this PM’s XI under lights at Manuka Oval.”
Australia Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP said: "It is disappointing that Mike Hussey won't be available to take his place as captain on Wednesday but I wish him a speedy recovery from his injury.
“I am pleased that Chris Rogers has accepted the invitation to take Mike's place as captain. Chris has a wealth of international and domestic experience and after a successful Test series he is well placed to lead the team."