Black Sticks show depth for India series

New Zealand team huddle. Black Sticks Women v Japan at the Festival of Hockey. Photo / Photosport

Players from the wider Vantage Black Sticks Womens squad will see game time during this months five test series against India in Auckland and Hamilton.

The series opens with the first three matches played on 14th, 16th and 17th May at Rosa Birch Park in Pukekohe before tests on 19th and 20th May at the Gallagher Hockey Centre in Hamilton.

Players will share game time across the five tests, while it will be a special occasion for 21-year-old Midlands defender Tarryn Davey who has been selected from the Development Squad.

New Zealand last played India at the International Hockey Open in Darwin in May last year, where the Black Sticks came away with a 4-1 result.

Head coach Mark Hager said its a great opportunity to see all players in action with an eye towards important selections for the FIH World League Semi Final in Brussels next month.

"Were looking forward to competing against a solid team on home soil with a chance for every player to put their hand up and make a statement," Hager said.

"It will give us the chance to assess different combinations as we ramp up our preparation for World League where we need to put together a top performance."

The Kiwis are currently ranked fifth in the world while India, ranked 12th, come into the series fresh from winning the FIH World League Round 2 event in Canada.

Presale tickets for all five games are on sale now through www.blacksticks.co.nz

MATCH SCHEDULE

Rosa Birch Park, Pukekohe

Sunday 14th May, 3pm

Tuesday 16th May, 7pm

Wednesday 17th May, 7pm

Gallagher Hockey Centre, Hamilton

Friday 19th May, 2pm

Saturday 20th May, 2pm

VANTAGE BLACK STICKS WOMEN

India Series - 14 - 20 May, 2017

SHIRT # / PLAYER NAME / REGION / POSITION / AGE / CAPS

13 / Sam CHARLTON / Midlands / Defender / 25 / 184

- / Tarryn DAVEY / Midlands / Defender / 21 / 4

5 / Frances DAVIES / Midlands / Defender / 20 / 10

17 / Steph DICKINS / North Harbour / Defender / 22 / 4

20 / Natasha FITZSIMONS / Midlands / Defender / 28 / 59

10 / Amelia GIBSON / Auckland / Goalkeeper / 25 / 60

28 / Shiloh GLOYN / Midlands / Midfielder / 27 / 38

3 / Erin GOAD / North Harbour / Defender / 23 / 24

27 / Jordan GRANT / Canterbury / Midfielder / 26 / 68

12 / Ella GUNSON / Northland / Defender / 27 / 153

2 / Sam HARRISON / Auckland/ Striker / 25 / 109

26 / Pippa HAYWARD / Canterbury / Defender / 26 / 129

19 / Tessa JOPP / Southern / Midfielder / 21 / 13

24 / Rose KEDDELL / Midlands / Defender / 23 / 151

11 / Rachel McCANN / Canterbury / Midfielder / 24 / 50

4 / Olivia MERRY / Canterbury / Striker / 25 / 157

31 / Stacey MICHELSEN / Northland / Defender / 26 / 221

9 / Brooke NEAL / Northland / Defender / 24 / 108

15 / Grace OHANLON / TBC / Goalkeeper / 24 / 8

18 / Kirsten PEARCE / North Harbour / Striker / 26 / 68

6 / Amy ROBINSON / Midlands / Striker / 21 / 18

8 / Sally RUTHERFORD / Midlands / Goalkeeper / 35 / 138

25 / Kelsey SMITH / Capital / Striker / 22 / 44

29 / Jenny STOREY / Canterbury / Defender / 25 / 35

22 / Kim TANNER / Midlands / Defender / 24 / 16

16 / Liz THOMPSON / Auckland / Defender / 22 / 139

- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Hockey NZ