The Hockeyroos' teams for the six test series between Australia and Japan have been announced, with national coach, Frank Murray, giving everyone an opportunity to push for selection for the Olympic qualifiers in September.

Nikki Hudson comes back into the side after successfully getting through her first match back from a long-term injury, while Kate Hollywood will also be welcomed back after recovering from compartment syndrome. Peta Gallagher, Fiona Johnson, Casey Eastham and Rachel Lynch have also been added to the team that were succesful in New Zealand will get a chance to impress with the battle for positions a healthy state to be in for national coach, Frank Murray.

'We're giving everybody in the squad a chance,' said Murray.

'There have been some injuries that have ruled some people out but most of the National Squad will get a game in either Melbourne, or the South Australian matches.'

'Hudson and Hollywood both return from pretty serious injuries so it will be good to have them back, particularly someone like Hudson who's always dangerous in the circle.'

The six test series is another step in Murray's Olympic preparations with the matches against Japan being used to give a number of his players exposure to this level of hockey, while also to give more of an indication of the team to play in the Olympic qualifiers, in Buderim, Queensland, in mid-September.

'We'll be using this series to continue our development. We'll work on a few different things, try a few structures and plays. We expect a real challenge from Japan, they're a very discliplined and fast team and are going to be very tough to beat.'

'From here we then compete in an Olympic test event in Beijing, in August, before returning to Australia and playing in the Oceania Cup, in Buderim, to qualify for the Olympics next year. It's a pretty important time.'

The series runs from 12-22 July with three matches in Melbourne before moving to Adelaide for one match and Port Lincoln, in South Australia, for the remaining two.

Match schedule:

Game one - Thursday 12 July, 19:30 - State/Netball Hockey Centre - Melbourne, VIC
Game two - Saturday 14 July, 19:30 - State/Netball Hockey Centre - Melbourne, VIC
Game three - Sunday 15 July, 15:00 - State/Netball Hockey Centre - Melbourne, VIC
Game four - Wednesday 18 July, 19:30 - Distinctive Homes Hockey Arena - Adelaide, SA
Game five - Friday 20 July, 19:00 - Ravendale Sporting Complex - Port Lincoln, SA
Game six - Sunday 22 July, 14:30 - Ravendale Sporting Complex - Port Lincoln, SA

Australian team for Melbourne matches:
Nicole ARROLD (ACT), Teneal ATTARD (QLD), Madonna BLYTH (QLD), Toni CRONK (NSW), Peta GALLAGHER (ACT), Emily HALLIDAY (WA), Nikki HUDSON (QLD), Kate HOLLYWOOD (NSW), Rachel IMISON (VIC), Fiona JOHNSON (NSW), Angie LAMBERT (QLD), Shelley LIDDELOW (WA), Hope MUNRO (WA), Emma STEWART (QLD), Sarah TAYLOR (ACT), Renee TROST (VIC), Mel TWITT (NSW), Kim WALKER (WA)

Australian team for Adelaide and Port Lincoln matches:
Nicole ARROLD (ACT), Teneal ATTARD (QLD), Madonna BLYTH (QLD), Toni CRONK (NSW), Casey EASTHAM (NSW), Suzie FAULKNER (QLD), Emily HALLIDAY (WA), Nikki HUDSON (QLD), Kate HOLLYWOOD (NSW), Rachel LYNCH (VIC), Angie LAMBERT (QLD), Shelley LIDDELOW (WA), Hope MUNRO (WA), Rebecca SANDERS (NSW), Emma STEWART (QLD), Sarah TAYLOR (ACT), Renee TROST (VIC), Mel TWITT (NSW).

Source: Hockey Australia