The Prime Minister's XI concept will receive a big shot in the arm with its move to October expected to solve the issue of under-strength teams playing in the fixture.
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The match has been played in early January in recent years, meaning a host of quality players who could be eligible for the fixture were unavailable due to Big Bash League duties.
But with this year's clash against New Zealand to kickstart the international calendar on Friday, October 23, the Prime Minister's XI line-up should be the strongest for some time.
Last year the fixture against England copped a blow when Test great Michael Hussey was forced to withdraw late through injury, and Glenn Maxwell and Pat Cummins were the only big names in the squad.
Cricket ACT chairman Ian McNamee admitted the unavailability of star players had been a concern and was pleased to avoid the situation.
"It has been [a factor] and Cricket Australia had that in mind at the time, they're very conscious of the PM's team being strong and that would have been one of the considerations of having the game at that particular time," McNamee said.
"The favoured time has always up before the first or second week in December when so many people start to leave Canberra.
"In the past [when it was played] in the new year it wasn't quite as popular as when we had it in December.
"We're more than happy."
Manuka Oval will host either a one-day international or a Twenty20 international featuring the Australian cricket team every summer from this year to 2018-19 after Cricket Australia signed a four-year deal with ACT Government earlier in July.
The agreement does not include the Prime Minister's XI match but McNamee is confident the fixture has a long-term future.
"It's been a tradition since 1951 and cricket's a game of tradition. Let's keep the tradition continuing and that's what the PM's game is," he said.
"It's very important the game continues, we have the Australian team playing here on January 20 [in a one dayer against India].
"We're getting these extra games of international cricket. Canberra has really made a lot of ground as far as cricket content is concerned."
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he looks forward to "welcoming the New Zealand team to Canberra to add another chapter to the strong friendship between our two countries".
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland was pleased the Prime Minister's XI would signal the beginning of international cricket against "one of the most competitive teams on the international stage".
"That augers well for a great contest at what we hope will be another full house at Manuka Oval," he said.
"Canberra has certainly proved its cricket-hosting credentials following the highly successful ICC Cricket World Cup. It is for that reason that this coming season Manuka will stage the PM's XI and a highly anticipated one-day international between Australia and India as part of a new partnership between Cricket Australia, the ACT Government and Cricket ACT."
The Prime Minister's XI team will be selected by Cricket Australia's national selection panel with input from Mr Abbott and announced closer to the match.
General tickets for the match will go on sale on August 21 through Ticketek.
