Hockey: Seven debutants in Black Sticks

The new broom has swept through the New Zealand women's hockey team with only Emily Naylor, Kayla Sharland, Kate Saunders and Stacey Carr who played at last year's Beijing Olympics in the 18-strong squad to face India in four internationals this month.

New coach Mark Hager and co-selectors Chris Leslie, Tina Bell-Kake and Di Te Awa, have named seven debutants for the series with a further four newcomers named in the extended 25-strong national squad from which the players to face Argentina and China in five tests next month will be named.

After having teams in recent years with players boasting up to, and sometimes over, 200 caps, this latest squad is well down on that experience. Of the 25 named only Naylor (112) has reached the 100-test milestone. Carr is one appearance away from that mark with Sharland (94) within sight of it.

With Anita Wawatai and Caryn Paewai (retired), Jo Galletly (overseas), Niniwa Roberts (not selected), Jaimee Claxton, Tara Drysdale, Lizzy Igasan, Kim Noakes, Sheree Horvath (unavailable) out of the picture, Hager had to widen his search.

With Sally Rutherford and Sophie Devine, with international commitments in other sports, Kate Mahon and Beth Jurgeleit, still playing in Europe, and Liz Perry and Honor Dillon injured, all unavailable to play India, Hager's hands were further tied.

The nine matches against India, Argentina and China will give all players the chance to press their claims for places in the team he will name for August's key Oceania Cup in Invercargill.

"We will then watch the National Hockey League in September and review our selections going forward," said Hager. "This [national] squad is a step in the right direction and the chance to create a fresh foundation to build international experience."

As he said during last week's trials, Hager is convinced he has players with individual skill but they need to put that into a team performance at international level.

The Black Sticks play India in Christchurch (June 17 and 18) and Nelson June 20 and 21), Argentina in Whangarei (July 3 and 4) and Pukekohe (July 6) and China in Hamilton (July 7) and Pukekohe (July 8).