Melbourne, Oct 14 (IANS): Former Australian Test cricketers Greg Blewett and Ryan Harris were on Wednesday confirmed as head coach and assistant coach of the Prime Minister’s XI and Cricket Australia (CA) XI that will take on New Zealand next week in Canberra.

The PM's XI will play against New Zealand on October 23 at the Manuka Oval with former Australia star Mike Hussey captaining the home side, kick-starting the international summer of cricket in Australia.

Blewett, who played in three PM’s XI sides, including one against New Zealand when he served as captain in 2001, as well as 46 Tests for Australia between 1995 and 2000, said he was honoured to be coaching the two squads in what will be New Zealand’s first matches this summer on Australian soil.

“It’s going to be a great experience. This is my first time as a head coach and there isn’t a huge amount of preparation going into the match with everyone assembling just one day before,” Blewett said in a CA release.

Harris who has been nominated as assistant to Blewett was also excited to be coaching the two squads in Canberra next week.

The full PM’s XI and CA XI squads are expected to be announced in the coming week.