Cricket ACT is proud to congratulate ACT Comets Head Coach, Jonathon Dean, on his appointment as one of the Assistant Coaches for the upcoming Prime Minister’s XI match against the England XI, to be played at Manuka Oval on 29-30 November.
Dean joins a distinguished group led by former Australian Test captain Tim Paine, alongside Mike Smith (Cricket Tasmania) and Adam Griffith (former Australian fast bowler). The Prime Minister’s XI fixture is one of Australian cricket’s longest running and most celebrated traditions, offering emerging players the chance to test themselves against international opposition.
For Dean, the appointment is both a professional milestone and he personal honour. He has a special connection to the fixture, having played in the Prime Minister’s XI match against the West Indies at Manuka Oval in 2013, where he opened the batting and made a memorable 51 runs from 38 balls.
“It’s such a special moment. It’s a really special event on the calendar for us here in Canberra. The PM’s XI brings a lot of tradition over the years and there’s been some great performances. It’s obviously got a special place in my heart having played in it a couple of those games. So, to be involved in it in a coaching capacity again with some great coaches like Tim Paine, Mike Smith, and Adam Griffith — it’s going to be a really good experience,” Dean said.
As a coach, Dean prides himself on connection and continual learning, seeing this opportunity as a valuable chance to work alongside some of the country’s best.
“For me, a big part of my coaching, and something I value, is creating connections with people. In order to get the best out of them, I think finding a way to connect is key. Meeting new people, hearing new ideas and seeing how things are being done from a coaching capacity — and what Painey (Tim Paine) values as a coach — is going to be really cool for me. Hopefully I can bring a little bit of local experience, obviously from being in Canberra for a number of years now and having played and coached a lot at Manuka.”
With England returning to Manuka Oval for the eleventh PM’s XI fixture between the two nations, Dean says the occasion always brings a buzz to the local cricket community.
“Everyone loves playing the Poms. There’s a lot of hype around the Ashes, so being a part of that is going to be really cool. Let’s hope there’s some really good cricket on display, the weather is kind, and we can get a nice little crowd in.”
Reflecting on the opportunity for ACT-based players to experience the fixture, Dean highlighted the importance of exposure to elite environments for player growth and development.
“The taste is something that you don’t get here in Canberra. You get exposed to a really high quality — you get to be around some professionals and just soak up all the learnings of being in that environment. If you’re lucky enough to be selected as a local player, stepping out onto Manuka Oval in front of a crowd is a fantastic experience.
“Having gone through that myself and watching others go through it — we saw Hanno Jacobs last year play, and he’s now contracted with South Australia. Our program has been producing some really good quality cricketers. We just saw Sam Skelly make his debut for Queensland this week after playing around 20 Second XI games for the Comets. It’s a really special moment for us, and we’re really proud of him. Hopefully we can see someone else from Canberra get that same opportunity.”
Dean said these kinds of experiences perfectly reflect the purpose of the ACT Comets program — to develop and prepare players for higher honours.
“It’s the nature of the program. We’re trying to develop cricketers to play at the highest level. We want our young men and women aspiring to play cricket in Canberra, and I think we’re creating some really good environments and programs that challenge players and help them learn how to navigate professional cricket. We’re seeing the results of that.”
The Prime Minister’s XI v England XI match will take place at Manuka Oval on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November, and is expected to draw strong local interest.
🎟️ Tickets are now on sale via Ticketek.com.au