Australia's Matthew Wells celebrates. Photo - Hockey Australia

by Claire Mitchell-Taverner.

Pool B: Australia, Cuba, England, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Poland


Kookaburras coach Barry Dancer has named his team to compete at the 10th Men?s World Cup in Malaysia beginning next month. Selectors have made one change to the team that won the silver medal at the Six Nations Invitational tournament, South Australian striker and Sydney Olympian Craig Victory making a return from injury at the expense of Canberra forward Ben Taylor.


Dancer is confident that he has selected the best possible team, although Victory?s fitness and form will be monitored up until the team departs for Malaysia on the 18th of February.


?We will be reviewing Craig Victory?s match fitness and form over the next fortnight, and he will have to prove himself,? Dancer said.


The selection process was difficult for Dancer who has also included goal scoring forward Michael McCann.


?The final position was a very difficult decision, and it is disappointing not to be able to reward Ben (Taylor) who has played soundly, has terrific commitment and does everything right. In this instance he is a victim of team balance,? he said.


There are four players from each of QLD, WA and NSW, two from Victoria and Tasmania and one from each of South Australia and the Northern Territory.

The 2002 World Cup Team:

Player State Age Int. Caps Int. Goals Major Tournament Participation

Dean BUTLER QLD 25 50 1 JWC ?97, CT ?98 ?00, ?01

Adam COMMENS NSW 25 99 15 OG ?00, WC ?98, CT ?98 ?99,?01, CG ?98, JWC ?97

Liam DE YOUNG QLD 20 6 0 CT ?01

Lachlan DREHER VIC 34 155 0 OG ?92, ?96, ?00, WC ?90, ?98, CT ?89-?95, ?97-?01

Jamie DWYER QLD 22 27 13 CT ?01

Troy ELDER QLD 23 67 37 OG ?00, CT ?98 - ?01, JWC ?97

Paul GAUDOIN (Capt) WA 26 179 21 OG ?96, ?00, WC ?94, ?98, CT ?95 -?97, ?99, ?01 CG ?98

Bevan GEORGE WA 24 42 0 CT ?00, ?01, JWC ?97

Mark HICKMAN NT 28 38 0 CT 96, ?98, ?00, ?01, CG ?98

Jeremy HISKINS VIC 25 84 29 CT ?96, ?97, ?00, ?01, CG ?98

Aaron HOPKINS WA 22 14 0 CT ?01

Brent LIVERMORE (VC) NSW 25 113 6 OG ?00, CT ?97-?01, CG ?98, JWC ?97

Michael McCANN NSW 24 13 5 No Majors

Matthew SMITH NSW 28 148 45 OG ?96, WC ?98, CT ?95, ?00, ?01, CG ?98

Daniel SPROULE (VC) TAS 28 179 6 OG ?96 ?00, WC ?98 CT ?94 - 95 ?97 -?99, CG ?98

Craig Victory SA 21 47 12 OG ?00, CT ?99-?01, JWC ?01 (capt)

Scott WEBSTER WA 25 45 14 CT ?98, ?99, ?01, JWC ?97

Matthew WELLS TAS 23 73 7 OG ?00, CT ?98-?01, JWC ?97

Support Staff Major Tournament Legend

Barry Dancer- Coach OG- Olympic Games CG- Commonwealth Games

Colin Batch- Ass. Coach WC- World Cup JWC- Junior World Cup

Ray Dorsett- Manager CT- Champions Trophy

The Kookaburras will attend a training camp in Perth from February 4th ? 13th.

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