It has been an extraordinary past month for Cricket ACT product Sam Skelly, whose rapid rise continues with his selection in the Prime Minister’s XI to face the England XI at Manuka Oval this weekend.
For the 26-year-old, the call up caps off a whirlwind period that saw his make his Sheffield Shield debut for Queensland at the back end of last month. A significant milestone for any cricketer, let alone an ACT-bred cricketer.
Skelly returned to Canberra last week to represent the ACT Comets in their Second XI clash against South Australia at EPC Solar Park. But on the eve of that match, he received the news that he had earned a place in the prestigious PM’s XI squad along side opposition quick, South Australia's Campbell Thompson, a moment he describes as “pretty surreal”.
“Yeah, it is pretty cool. It is very exciting,” Skelly said.
“I have seen a few mates go through and do it before, and being in the crowd watching them was pretty exciting, and then to actually get the opportunity myself here next week is very exciting. Getting to represent not only the ACT but, we’ll say the Prime Minister as well.”
The PM’s XI is among Australian cricket’s most iconic fixtures, now in its 76th year. For ACT players, it has long been a stage that unlocks the next step. Last year, former ACT Comet Hanno Jacobs impressed in the match before securing a contract with South Australia. For Skelly, the chance to test himself against an international opposition comes at the perfect time in his development.
“To play against a quality opposition, like what England come out with for that game… obviously it’s a huge summer in the Australian schedule and to be a little part of that is pretty cool,” he said.
The moment is made even more special given that ACT Comets coach and mentor Jono Dean has been named assistant coach alongside former Test captain Tim Paine. Dean himself played in the PM’s XI, making the opportunity a meaningful full-circle moment for ACT cricket.
Skelly is expecting a large contingent of support, especially from his hometown Crookwell.
“The last couple of days we’ve been talking to everyone about how they’re going to get there… I think half of them might be from my hometown Crookwell which will be probably nerve-racking in itself. And then everyone else, it’ll be a nice little buzz I think.”
Growing up in Canberra, the PM’s XI always held a special place in his cricket calendar.
“It is always a highlight of the Canberra calendar. Growing up here, I always looked forward to the PM's XI... there has always been a good assortment of crowds and a lot of buzz around that in Canberra. It is one of the highlights of the Canberra summer.”
With Australia’s international fixtures selling out across the country, Skelly expects Canberrans will jump at the chance to witness elite cricket on home soil.
“Come and watch. The rest of the Australian summer is sold out. So, if there’s still tickets here, I don’t think there will be for much longer.”
Skelly won’t be the only ACT-raised player in the squad. Benji Floros, the Canberra-born all-rounder who made his Sheffield Shield debut for Queensland in November 2024, will also return to Manuka Oval.
Floros, who has represented both the ACT Comets and Queensland – and is a member of the Australia’s national indoor cricket team, adds further local flavour to an already meaningful fixture for cricket in the ACT.
Cricket ACT CEO Olivia Thornton emphasised the deep cultural and developmental importance of the PM’s XI for Canberra.
“I have been in this community for a number of years now and it is one thing that keeps coming across in the conversations that I have, that the PM’s XI game is a really important game for this community,” she said.
“I think it is the 76th year that it has been played consistently. You know, that says a lot. To have England in your backyard is a wonderful opportunity and to have two local players as well, in Benji Floros and Sam Skelly, that makes it even more exciting.”
She highlighted the unique role the match plays in exposing emerging players to elite environments.
“I think PM’s has been used historically as an opportunity to blend a bit of youth and a bit of experience… it’s actually a way for those older players to give back as well.”
Thornton also noted how selection opportunities like the PM’s XI and Second XI fixtures create a vital “line of sight” for ACT talent.
“We know we do need these opportunities… to start to blood some of our local talent because there is a hell of a lot of talent here in Canberra and it is about providing opportunities for that talent to actually come to the surface and be seen.”
For Skelly, the last few months have been a blur of opportunity, growth, and excitement.
“Yeah, it has all kind of rushed along pretty quickly really,” he said.
“I moved up to Queensland about halfway through this year and got a couple of opportunities quicker than I thought… it was a dream come true kind of thing. And then to have this on top of it as well just continues that little bit of buzz.”
As for what comes next, Skelly’s focus remains grounded.
“My goal is to try and become consistent in whatever team I’m playing in,” he said.
“I hope you’re right, that there is a lot more to come for Sam Skelly as a cricketer… I’ll just try and perform as well as I can and the rest of it sorts itself out.”
Thornton hopes the community will turn out in force for one of Canberra’s most cherished cricket events.
“We don’t get a lot of international content here and it’s something that we continue to work with the ACT Government on… there is a direct correlation between bringing the best to town and inspiring that next generation,” she said.
With England in town, two ACT-bred players taking centre stage, and a rich sense of history behind it, this year’s PM’s XI promises to be one of the standout sporting moments of the season.
Don't miss your chance to watch the PM's XI live at the iconic Manuka Oval!