Cricket ACT boss Cameron French believes the 7120 crowd figure at the PM's XI match on Wednesday night will have no bearing on whether Canberra can secure a Big Bash League fixture next summer.
While discussions with Cricket Australia continue, an official decision won't be made for "a couple of months", but French is confident the hugely popular BBL competition will return to Manuka Oval.
![Manuka Oval was about half full for the PM'sXI fixture on Wednesday night.](/web/20170401054349im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/u/d/x/o/v/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gueh8b.png/1487284110420.jpg)
"The signs are really positive, there is some work to do but I think we know the game will be a success and that we'd get a great crowd," he said.
"We have a great track record of hosting all formats of the game and the benefits of showcasing Canberra will also be felt in the broader community."
Canberra hosted the 2015 BBL final in front of a sellout crowd at Manuka Oval and while the PM's fixture could only fill half the ground, French said the games shouldn't be compared.
"I think it's a different discussion, the makeup of the PM's game is about recognising players who have made a commitment to the game as well as up-and-coming talent, whereas the Big Bash features world-class players," French said.
"I don't think any crowd metrics will have any impact on our ability to get a Big Bash game here next summer.
"We know the Canberra community love their cricket and with Test cricket coming the following summer I'm extremely confident any BBL game would be a sell-out."
![Cricket ACT boss Cameron French believes Sydney Thunder are well positioned to play a fixture in Canberra next summer.](/web/20170401054349im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/r/l/9/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gueh8b.png/1487284110420.jpg)
French suggested Sydney Thunder would be an ideal team to play in the capital but said whichever franchise comes will be well supported.
"We have a good relationship with the Thunder which is a positive, but it's just a matter of whether it's commercially viable and if Cricket Australia can get the scheduling right," he said.
"Cricket Australia are starting to ramp up things for next summer, so there's been a lot of discussion but a firm decision won't be made for couple of months."
Sri Lanka proved too strong on Wednesday night but French remained satisfied with the gate numbers for the first PM's match played as a Twenty20.
"We moved to T20 at a different time slot but we still had the exact same crowd as last year against New Zealand, so we're pleased with the response from the fans, especially with the late changes," French said.
"We had perfect weather and the curtain-raiser between PNG and ACT was a success, we'd love to see an ACT team play the curtain-raiser each year as it's a great opportunity for our guys to play on the big stage."