Extended Black Sticks squad named

New Zealand women’s hockey team coach Mark Hager has named an extended 26-player squad for their five-match home series against India.

With the important World League Semifinal looming in Belgium next month, Hager is keen to look at all his options before selecting that group.

Several members of the wider Black Sticks national squad have been included to face India in Pukekohe and Hamilton, while 21-year-old Midlands defender

Tarryn Davey has been selected from the development squad.

Hager felt the series was a good chance for squad members ahead of their important trip to Brussels,

where qualification for next year’s World Cup was up for grabs.

‘‘We’re looking forward to competing against a solid team on home soil with a chance for every player to make a statement,’’ he said. ‘‘It will give us the chance to assess different combinations as we ramp up our preparation for World League.’’

New Zealand are fifth in the world rankings and prevailed 4-1 over 12th-ranked India when the teams last met at the International Hockey Open in Darwin in May of last year.

The visitors, though, come into the series fresh from winning the World League Round Two event in Canada.

The series starts on May 14 in Pukekohe, before moving to Hamilton for the final two tests.