Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting will lead the Prime Minister’s XI in the first-ever day night match at Manuka Oval next year.

Ponting was on Tuesday morning announced as the PM’s XI captain for the historic game with the West Indies in Canberra on January 29.

Ricky Ponting will be leading the PM's XI. Credit:Getty Images

The 37-year-old batting great has retained his place for the third Test against South Africa at the WACA, starting Friday, but has retired from one-day international cricket.

“It’s a big honour for me to be selected as captain of the Prime Minister’s XI,’’ Ponting said.

“It will be an exciting team of emerging cricketers and I’m looking forward to leading them against the West Indies on January 29.’’

Ponting’s arrival is another boost to Canberra’s centenary celebrations, which include the inaugural visit by the Australian cricket team and a Kangaroos rugby league test in April.

The rest of the Prime Minister’s XI team will be selected by Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel with input from Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and will be announced in January.