Australia has named their strongest possible team for the three test SPAR Challenge series against the South African National Women’s team next week.

The Australian Team will be as follows: Teneal Attard (54 caps), Madonna Blyth (88 caps), Toni Cronk (53 caps), Casey Eastham (18 caps), Emily Halliday (161 caps), Kate Hollywood (60 caps), Nicole Hudson (283 caps), Carla Hunter (0 caps), Fiona Johnson (28 caps), Shelly Liddelow (9 caps), Kobie McGurk (66 caps), Hope Munro (50 caps), Ashleigh Nelson (2 caps), Megan Rivers (85 caps), Emma Stewart (52 caps), Sarah Taylor (150 caps), Renee Trost (20 caps) and Kim Walker (98 caps). The coach is Frank Murray and the Manager Anne Konrath.

Both Australia and South Africa competed at the Commonwealth Games in March 2006 and the teams are using this series of matches to prepare for the Olympic Games in China next year. South Africa are also aiming to give international experience to their younger members and their new caps – Farah Fredericks and Louisa Moore

Jenny King, coach of the South African Team, said that with Australia being in the top 3 of the world rankings her team would be going all out to perform. “The Australian team has speed and their style of play will mean our team will be stretched to the limit if they are to succeed in the three-match series,” said King

The SPAR Challenge South Africa vs. Australia will be played on 17 October at the Randburg Hockey Stadium at 19:00, on 19 October at the Tshwane University of Technology Hockey Stadium at 19:00 and at 15:30 on the 20 October at the Randburg Hockey Stadium.

Source: BLD Communications, South Africa