Injury keeps Knowles out

Australia will play the double-leg international invitational hockey tournaments in Sydney and Perth later this month without star player Mark Knowles, who is out of the side due to an injury.

Announcing the 24-man squad for the two tournaments, which also feature India and Pakistan, coach Barry Dancer said the entire Australian national squad will take part in the challenge but for the injured Queenslander Knowles.

Victorian goalkeeper Stephen Mowlam will win his first international cap in the series.

The tournament will also feature an Australia 'A' team and Dancer said players will rotate between the two Australian sides to ensure all players get maximum game experience.

Matches will be played in two series - the first, starting on May 28, taking place in Perth and the second in Wollongong and Sydney.

The tournament will offer a perfect opportunity to Test player capabilities and combinations, Dancer was quoted as saying on an Australian website.

Australia will be using this competition as a warm-up for the Champions Trophy and Oceania Cup which begins in August.

While Pakistan announced the team for the twin-meet on Wednesday, India will select their side on May 17 or 18.

PTI