PM's interest in cricket linked to beer

Tony Abbott quickly learnt an important lesson during his university days at Oxford.

If he wanted to drink in the afternoons he'd have to play cricket.

Mr Abbott made the admission while announcing details of the annual PM's XI game in Canberra on Thursday.

Instead of its usual early-year time slot, the game against New Zealand will kick off the cricket season on October 23.

Mr Abbott conceded that unlike some former prime ministers, such as John Howard, he hasn't been a cricket tragic.

After he bowled wides in the nets as a Year 7 student at Saint Ignatius' College he was quickly told "off you go to the rowing sheds".

Years later, as a student at Oxford, Mr Abbott revisited the game.

"I discovered that the only way to get a drink in the afternoon was to play cricket."

That's because the bar at the cricket ground stayed open when the pubs closed.

"So I became a very enthusiastic cricketer," the prime minister said to laughter.

Former Test cricketer Michael Hussey will captain the PM's side in a match that will be played with a pink ball - specially designed to be visible during night matches - for the first time.

In the ANZAC centenary year, the beneficiary of the match will be the RSL.