(Photo: © FIH / Dr. Wolfgang Sternberger)

After experimenting with his squad over the past two weeks during international matches against Malaysia and Canada, Kookaburras coach Ric Charlesworth has announced his World Cup Qualifier squad.

The squad will compete in a World Cup Qualifier event against New Zealand and Samoa in Invercargill, New Zealand from 24-29 August.

The winner of the tournament gains direct access to the Hero Honda FIH World Cup in New Delhi, India from 28 February-13 March, 2010.

Each State and Territory is represented within the squad, with New South Wales and Queensland claiming the most representatives with four players for each State.

Highlights of the squad include 33 year old veteran Brent Livermore, who having played 306 international matches continues to close in on former player Jay Stacy’s tally of 319 games as the most capped Kookaburra.

The inclusion of 2008 FIH Young World Player of the Year Eddie Ockenden looms as critical for the Kookaburras. The 22 year old proved himself during last week’s matches against Canada where Ockenden returned for the first time since injuring his collarbone in June during a tour of Europe.

Despite being a member of the National Development Squad, Glenn Turner has proven himself capable of playing amongst the world’s elite, named in the World Cup Qualifier squad after performing well since debuting for the Kookaburras two months ago.

Notable absentees from the squad include striker Russell Ford and 2008 Beijing Olympic Bronze medalists David Guest and Eli Matheson. 

Overall the squad has an age average of 25 and an average games per player of 93 games.

Team Australia: George Bazeley, Nathan Burgers, Luke Doerner, Graeme Begbie, Matthew Butturini, Kiel Brown, Liam De Young, Brent Livermore, Mark Knowles, Fergus Kavanagh, Rob Hammond, Simon Orchard, Eddie Ockenden, Jamie Dwyer, Mark Paterson, Des Abbott, Glenn Turner, Grant Schubert.

Source: Hockey Australia