Sydney: Former Australia captain Michael Clarke will get his first taste of coaching at the elite level against Sri Lanka later this month after being put in charge of the Prime Minister's XI for a Twenty20 match in Canberra.
Clarke retired at the end of the 2015 Ashes series in England after playing 115 tests and has since confined his involvement in the game to the commentary booth and a couple of club matches.
The 35-year-old said he was "thrilled" to mentor a side captained by Adam Voges and including Australia ODI stalwart George Bailey and returning Test pace bowler James Pattinson.
"The squad has a really good mix of experienced players and some exciting young talent," Clarke said in a statement.
Cricket Australia have drafted in Clarke's predecessor as captain, Ricky Ponting, former test batsman Justin Langer and former pace bowler Jason Gillespie to lead the home side in the three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka.
The series will conclude in Adelaide on February 22, only a dozen or so hours before Australia begin their four-Test series against India in Pune.
