KEY POINTS:
Two newcomers have been named in the 21-member New Zealand women's hockey squad, while the 25-player men's squad include three new players.
Black Sticks women's coach Kevin Towns has recalled several experienced players to balance his squad this year.
North Harbour defender Lizzy Igasan is back after a fallout with Towns' predecessor, Ian Rutledge. Hawkes Bay-based Caryn Paewai returns alongside North Harbour striker Jaimee Provan, who missed out on the Commonwealth Games last year.
The squad also include two newcomers in Northland defender Alana Millington, 18, and North Harbour halfback Kimberley Green, 20. Both have been promoted from the New Zealand development squad.
The Black Sticks' first assignment of the year is a four-test series against Australia in New Zealand from May 13-20, with games in Dunedin, Oamaru and Christchurch. The team will go into camp on May 3 to prepare for the series.
All 18 players from the Black Sticks men's team who played in the recent series against the Dutch in Auckland and Tauranga have been retained.
Newcomers to the squad are North Harbour halfback Steve Edwards, 20, Canterbury's Jason Bradley and Auckland's Sanjay Patel. Richard Petherick and Paul Woolford, both from Auckland, return to the squad.
- NZPA
