SYDNEY, Oct 16: Senior fast bowler Jason Gillespie will lead the Australian Prime Minister's XI team in England's opening Ashes tour cricket match in Canberra on Nov 10.

Gillespie, a veteran of 71 Tests and 97 One-day Internationals for Australia, leads a young team announced on Monday, which also includes Test contenders, opening batsman Phil Jaques and fast bowler Shaun Tait.

Gillespie and vice-captain Cameron White are among five players with Australian international experience, along with Jaques (two Tests, four ODIs), Mark Cosgrove (three ODIs) and Tait (two Tests).

“To be given the opportunity to lead such a young and exciting side in what will be my first PM's XI game is a fantastic honour and one that I am really looking forward to,” Gillespie said in a Cricket Australia statement on Monday.

“To be the leader of the first side to take on England at the start of what is shaping as a great series is a real privilege and one that I am sure will be a fantastic moment for the team and the Australian public.”

This will be the 10th time a Prime Minister's XI has played England, with the home team's record standing at six wins and three losses.

Prime Minister's XI: Jason Gillespie (captain), Cameron White, Travis Birt, Mark Cosgrove, Ben Hilfenhaus, Phil Jaques, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Adam Ritchard, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Mark Divin (12th man).—AFP