Aspiring First Nations paceman Charlie Anderson shared in a small slice of cricketing history in Canberra at the weekend.

Anderson is one of just six Indigenous players to represent the Prime Minister's XI since the invitational fixtures began during Sir Robert Menzies's time in charge of Australia from the 1950s through the 1960s, before Bob Hawke revitalised the tour concept in the 1980s.

The Kamilaroi man is the first Aboriginal cricketer to be named in the side in consecutive years, and is only the second man to gain a returned PM's XI's cap since Wiradjuri man Matthew Bradley achieved the feat in 2002 and 2004.

"That's really good - it's pretty special," Anderson told National Indigenous Times.

"I didn't actually know that.

"That's pretty cool, actually - I feel I'm very lucky."

The 20-year-old follows in the footsteps of past Aboriginal representatives Scott Boland (Gulidjan), D'Arcy Short (Mitakoodi) and Dan Christian (Wiradjuri), in addition to uncapped state players, Barry Weare (Gimy, Walubara, Tidinji and Gunggandi) from Cairns and Bradley from Dubbo.

Former Test quick Jason Gillespie was once selected to represent the PM's XI, but was forced to withdrawal with injury.

Anderson walked away from the eight-wicket loss with 1-51 (13) - one of two bowlers to claim a scalp against the English XI in the pink-ball, day-night fixture under lights at Manuka Oval.

Anderson captured 2-30 for the PM's XI against the touring Indians last season.

"It's always pretty amazing going down there to Manuka," Anderson said.

"It was a good turnout as well, so it was pretty good fun."

'Definitely a good challenge for us'

Only three senior players in the English Test touring party were named for the England XI to face the PM's XI last Saturday and Sunday.

The rest of the playing lineup was made up of the English Lions - the Test squad's reserve side currently in Australia, which Anderson faced only a week earlier for a Cricket Australia XI at Lilac Hill, where he picked up 1-36 and 3-42 in the four-day match.

There was talk once the Test stars snubbed the traditional tour fixture that the occasion lost its lustre, but Anderson would not hear it.

It comes after the struggling English batters in the opening Ashes Test elected for net practice in Brisbane on predictably firmer wickets over a trip to Canberra.

"I don't think that was disappointing," he said of not bowling to England's best batsmen.

"I think that the England Lions squad has some extremely talented players.

"It was still a very talented team to come against and they're definitely a good challenge for us."

The two-day game, which is not given first-class status as it was not designed for at least three days, was invaluable for Anderson's ongoing career.

The 20-year-olds cricket development is being greatly shaped by facing Australia's traditional rivals, having fronted up against the English Lions twice at Brisbane's Ian Healy Oval and Allan Border Field for Australia A in January, where he snared six wickets.

"That side was challenging in their own ways - definitely, it was different batsmen and a couple of different bowlers, but it was also very different conditions (to Canberra)," Anderson said.

"To change from Brisbane where it was bouncier, had some nice pace to where we also played them last week in Perth where the pitch was also a lot slower and then to Manuka where it was a bit flat was a good experience.

"All three times it has been challenging in its own way, with some really good batsman to bowl to and I learned a lot - and got a lot out of it."

Coming back stronger than ever from injury

Anderson feels he has been tracking well after playing a significant role in Australia's under-19 World Cup triumph nearly two years ago in South Africa.

After suffering a stress fracture in his back during the offseason, the right-arm fast medium bowler has turned the setback into a positive.

"I have been building up my bowling loads for the start of this season and hopefully I can push my case for the New South Wales team, either before or after Christmas," he said.

"I am tracking well - I feel like I am in a good spot and the ball is coming out nicely.

"It's slowly coming together ... I am excited to see how that keeps developing and the process of getting back to 100 per cent is a blessing in disguise.

"You can relax a bit and take a step back about what my action looks like and little things that can help me get better."

Anderson has remodelled his action somewhat, saying the few tweaks has added a new repertoire to his mostly seam-up bowling.

The main change this season to last, according to Anderson, is his ball speed, accuracy, and energy off the wicket while pushing speed gun further into the 130s.

"There have been a few positives, although it didn't feel like there was too many positives at the time," he said.

"There is definitely an upside, as for a while you get to focus on other aspects of your game ... it's a chance that a lot of other bowlers don't get, so to take advantage of it is a huge positive."

With Brendan Doggett holding his spot in Australia's Test XI, Anderson admits to following the fellow Aboriginal seamer's progress with great interest.

The Worimi man retained his position for the pink ball Test at the 'Gabba, where his first-class career with Queensland began in the 2017/18 season.

"I feel his progress is a bit of an inspiration to all younger Indigenous players coming through to see this guy doing so well," Anderson said.

"I haven't met Brendon personally, but by all reports, he's just a top guy - it's unreal to see, and I have felt like he has been doing well for a long time and it's really well deserved.

"It gives guys like me inspiration to work hard and do as well as I can, and hopefully, I can get there one day as well."