Hockey: Gosling, Smith get India series call-up

By TERRY MADDAFORD

New Zealand men's hockey coach Kevin Towns has wasted no time in bringing experienced defender Dion Gosling (87 caps) and Darren Smith (96) back into the fold for the four-test series against India next month.

The pair, who have been playing in Holland and Belgium respectively, missed the recent series in Australia and earlier matches against Malaysia.

They have been recalled at the expense of Alpesh Puna and Lloyd Stephenson, who made their debuts against Malaysia and then went to Australia.

"It is great to have Dion and Darren back," Towns said. "If we lacked anything against Australia it was probably experience." Dean Cousins is the only one of the five players who made their debut against Malaysia to have held his place.

Ryan Wilson and goalkeeper Kyle Pontifex fell by the wayside when the team for Australia was named.

The search for a settled midfield combination continues.

While Simon Towns holds the pivotal centre-half role, Wayne McIndoe and Hymie Gill will contest the right-half berth, with Smith likely to slot in at left-half.

Gill will play the first two tests, in Dunedin on June 16 and Ashburton on June 18, before being replaced by Dharmesh Puna for the last two tests, in Wellington on June 21 and Auckland on June 23.

New Zealand last beat India in April 1988 at the Four Nations Tournament in Australia, winning their third clash with the Indians 2-1 to finish third after a loss and a draw in earlier games at the tournament.

In their most recent clash, at the Malaysian Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in February last year, India won 2-1.

They also met at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, with India winning 3-1.

The Indians are ranked seventh in the world, their finishing position at last year's Sydney Olympics. New Zealand are nine places lower at 16th.

New Zealand squad: Michael Bevin (Canterbury), Paul Woolford (Auckland), Brett Leaver (Auckland), Dean Cousins (Otago), Dion Gosling (Auckland), Blair Hopping (Midland), Simon Towns (Auckland), Wayne McIndoe (Wellington), Hymie Gill (North Harbour), Dharmesh Puna (Midland), Darren Smith (North Harbour), Ryan Archibald (Auckland), Mitesh Patel (Wellington), Umesh Parag (Wellington), Phil Burrows (Wellington), Bevan Hari (Auckland), David Kosoof (North Harbour).