Milestone long time coming for Mitton

IT WAS a long time coming but Kookaburras forward Trent Mitton aims to celebrate his 150th hockey international with yet another milestone — a World Cup semi-final berth for Australia.

Mitton — eight years after his international debut — will finally play his landmark game when-top ranked Australia aims to extend its unbeaten run in the quarter-final against France in India tomorrow.

The 28-year-old will be a key against world No.20 France in Bhubaneswar but there was a time when he wasn’t feeling the Kookaburras’ love. Mitton has won three Commonwealth Games gold medals and savoured three Champions Trophy triumphs for Australia.

Yet he has never been picked for an Olympics and was overlooked for Australia’s World Cup title wins in 2010 and 2014 — the West Australian left to wonder whether he would ever reach his latest achievement.

“I’m incredibly happy and proud to be able to play my 150th game,” Mitton said.

“There were certainly times where I thought I wouldn’t get close to this milestone, mainly through repeated non selections earlier in my career.

“Being able to play the 150th in a World Cup quarterfinal is pretty special.”

The Kookaburras are chasing their fourth World Cup title and third in a row. The clinical Australians booked their place in the last eight by thrashing world No.17 China 11-0 from 17 shots on goal in their final pool game — their third straight win.

France defeated China 1-0 to progress to the knockout phase.

Mitton debuted for Australia in May 2010, continuing a family tradition. His dad Grant was a member of Australia’s 1986 World Cup-winning side while his grandfather Don also played for the Kookaburras.