Brad Haddin wants the GOAT. When you're coaching the Prime Minister's XI for the first time, why wouldn't you want the greatest of all time in your team.
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And your second pick? That'd have to be the "Big Show".
Australian fielding coach Brad Haddin will coach the PM's team when they face the old enemy, England, in a Twenty20 game at Manuka Oval on February 2.
He had no doubt who he wanted in his side - Australia's greatest ever off-spinner Nathan Lyon - even if Aussie selectors continue to snub the former ACT Comet for the white-ball forms of cricket.
Lyon forced his way onto the national scene playing for South Australia in the old Big Bash, but has been pigeon-holed as a Test specialist in recent years.
But Haddin didn't care and wanted him in his side to take on the Poms.
"Maybe get the GOAT down, that'll bring the people through the gate so that'd be an exciting one," he said.
"But you've got guys like [Jason] Behrendorff, [Alex] Ross and a lot of these [Canberrans] scattered around the country.
"If it falls in the schedule that those guys are available I think that'd be a great opportunity to get as many of them down as we can.
"But it's also a great opportunity to put their case forward to play higher honours."
Haddin saw the PM's XI as the perfect game to help launch international careers and wanted as many players that were on the fringes in his side.
The game falls on the same night as the second Big Bash League semi-final and a day before Australia's first T20 international against New Zealand at the SCG.
With the Test side yet to depart for South Africa, Lyon could be available if his BBL team, the Sydney Sixers, miss out on the finals.
The mercurial Glenn Maxwell could also be free given he's on the outer with the Australian team and his Melbourne Stars are rooted to the bottom of the BBL ladder.
He smashed 136 from just 89 balls when he lined up for the PM's XI three years ago when it was a 50-over game.
"That'd be great for the game if someone of Maxwell's calibre can come down and play," Haddin said.
"He's free at the moment isn't he. I know he'd be great for the Canberra fans and he'd definitely enjoy it back on that wicket at Manuka."
Haddin's played for Australia, captained Australia, and now that he's moved into the coaching ranks, could he complete the trifecta and coach Australia as well?
Current Australian coach Darren Lehmann said he'll step down after the next Ashes series in 2019, when his current contract expires.
The 40-year-old felt any talk of filling Lehmann's boots was a "long way down the track".
"I do love coaching and I do love the opportunity to help people, and find ways to get the best out of a group," Haddin said.
"At the moment I'm enjoying everything where it's at. If something comes up where I think I can make a difference and leave the game in a better place then I'll certainly put my hand up."
Haddin was expecting the Manuka pitch to be perfect not only for the PM's game, but next week's BBL clash there between the Sydney Thunder and the Melbourne Renegades.
"It suits the Twenty20-style game - we're going to see balls flying around everywhere - and if the bowlers bend their backs then they'll get something out of it," he said.
"It's going to be exciting to watch and game on."
PRIME MINISTER'S XI
February 2: PM's XI v England at Manuka Oval, 7.15pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.
BIG BASH LEAGUE
Wednesday: Sydney Thunder v Melbourne Renegades at Manuka Oval, WBBL at 2.50pm, BBL at 7.40pm.
