KEY POINTS:
New Zealand women's hockey team coach Kevin Towns has recalled Wellington striker Niniwa Roberts to the team preparing for September's Oceania Cup in Australia.
Roberts, who has 111 caps, last played for the national team last April in the World Cup qualifying tournament in Rome.
She returns after giving birth to daughter, Isabella, seven months ago.
Defender Alana Millington who played in the Champions Challenge in Azerbaijan in June when the Black Sticks struggled, winning just one of their five group games, has been dropped to make way for Roberts, 31.
Towns said he included the specialist striker to try and improve the flow between midfield and attack.
"Niniwa is a very experienced striker who could offer balance and the ability to link with the midfield, an element missing at Champions Challenge," Towns said.
"Her game may well blend nicely with the younger players.
"She will give our midfield a target on the field, for other strikers to play off her.
"She will also boost our penalty corner striking and runs good defensive lines."
The team will also be strengthened by playmaker Kayla Sharland's return to full fitness from a knee injury which curtailed her role in the Australian earlier and the Champions Challenge.
"I am still learning about the players and believe long-term consistency and building a core is important," Towns said.
"It would also be hard to separate players on the basis of performance at the Champions Challenge last month.
"Overall, the team did not play well."
In preparation for the Oceania Olympics qualifying series against Australia from September 11-16 at Buderim on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, New Zealand depart for Hong Kong on August 21 for three matches.
The will play against Korea on August 28, China on August 29 and India on August 31.
Black Sticks women's team for Hong Kong series and Oceania Cup:
Krystal Forgesson, Kim Noakes, Frances Kreft, Honor Dillon, Jo Galletly, Meredith Orr, Kate Saunders, Emily Naylor, Caryn Paewai, Anita Wawatai, Kayla Sharland, Laura Douglas, Charlotte Harrison, Kimberly Green, Lizzy Igasan, Jaimee Claxton, Kate Mahon, Beth Jurgeleit, Niniwa Roberts.
- NZPA
