A "Michael" will be captaining the Prime Minister's XI, but it won't be recently retired Australian skipper Michael Clarke.
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Clarke's former teammate, Michael Hussey, will get a second chance to captain the PM's XI when he leads the invitational side against New Zealand at Manuka Oval on October 23.
Hussey will be in Canberra on Thursday morning for the official announcement.
The 40-year-old is hoping it will be a case of second time lucky after he was originally selected to captain the PM's XI team for this year's game against England, but had to pull out with a calf injury. Test opener Chris Rogers took his place in the team.
Clarke was raised as a possible high-profile candidate, capable of attracting a sold-out crowd when he stepped down from international cricket earlier this month.
Hussey is still a fantastic selection despite having played his last international match in January 2013.
Speaking to Fairfax Media at this year's PM's XI game when he was a spectator, Hussey said he was keen to again be involved.
"I'm devastated to be missing the game this year ... I think having the PM's XI every year is every important," Hussey said.
"I said to the PM [Tony Abbott] last night to pencil me in for next year, my calf should be right by then. I'd love to get another opportunity, for sure."
Hussey had a wonderful career in all three forms of the game, scoring 6235 runs in Test cricket at an average of 51.52 with 19 centuries.
He also scored more than 5400 runs in one-day internationals from 185 games at 48.15.
Hussey has continued to play Twenty 20 cricket with the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League and the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
The timing of Australia's upcoming two-Test tour to Bangladesh in October meant it would be unlikely that Queanbeyan product Brad Haddin would be part of the PM's XI game.
Haddin hasn't retired from Test cricket, but has fallen behind Peter Nevill in the pecking order.
Haddin has already played for the PM's XI four times and was named captain in the 2011-12 game, which was washed out.
The second Test in Bangladesh finishes two days before the PM's XI game, which has been moved forward in the cricketing calendar.
The new October timeslot is designed to have a stronger PM's XI team after the past few years have been affected by players being unavailable with commitments in the BBL.
The PM's XI game will be held on the same day as the elimination final of the national one-day cup, with the final two days later.
New Zealand has requested the PM's XI field a strong team to ensure they have a quality hit-out ahead of their three-Test series against Australia.
Manuka Oval will also host a one-day international between Australia and India on January 20 as part of a four-year agreement between the ACT Government and Cricket Australia signed in July.
