AUSTRALIA HAMMER INDIA 4-0 IN FIRST OF TWO TESTS

The Indian men’s hockey team were blanked 0-4 by world No 2 Australia in the first of the two Tests with Blake Govers (15th, 60th) and Jeremy Hayward (20th, 59th) scoring a brace each for the hosts here on Wednesday.

After remaining unbeaten in their first three matches of the tour, world No 5 India were given a lesson by the Kookaburras. India started their campaign with a 2-0 win over WA Thundersticks club before beating Australia A 3-0. They drew 1-1 against Australia A on Monday before playing the senior side.

India started the match well as they pressed Australia higher up but were dealt two successive blows in five minutes.

The visitors had earlier earned themselves an early penalty corner in the fifth minute, but Harmanpreet Singh’s shot was blocked by the first rusher.

Seconds from the first quarter Australia secured their first penalty corner, which resulted in a penalty stroke for the hosts and Govers made no mistake from the set-piece.

The two teams will face off again on Friday in the last match of the tour.