HOCKEY Australia has announced its Hockeyroos team, headlined by Mollymook's Kalindi Commerford, to take on Argentina and New Zealand at the Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre in the FIH Pro League on Saturday and Sunday.
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The Australian team currently sit second on the FIH Pro League standings, thanks to a tough 2-1 win against the United States in their last match on March 2.
This weekend, the world number three Hockeyroos will take on fourth-ranked Argentina from 5pm (AEDT) on Saturday and sixth-ranked New Zealand from 5pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
The Hockeyroos will celebrate stalwart Rachael Lynch’s 200th cap in Sydney while 21-year-old Adelaide forward Michaela Spano is named to make her international debut.
They will take an extended team of 19 players to Sydney as insurance for the double-header, with Madison Fitzpatrick (ankle) and Rosie Malone (shoulder) returning from injury, with Jane Claxton, Lynch and Spano also added.
Gerringong's Grace Stewart as well as Kristina Bates, Penny Squibb and Ash Wells all make way.
“Michaela is a striker who came across for a Visiting Athlete Agreement for a week in mid-February and impressed," Hockeyroos coach Paul Gaudoin said.
“She’s been in our Development Squad ticking away and has come from the junior ranks in the Junior National Squad.
"We’re hoping for big things from her.”
Gaudoin was full of praise for 32-year-old goalkeeper Lynch ahead of her milestone match, having debuted for the Hockeyroos in 2006.
“It’s a wonderful achievement,” Gaudoin said.
“Lynchy is one of the most respected athletes, let alone goalkeepers, in world Hockey.
“Her performances over the past 12-18 months have been exceptional.
"We’re hoping she has another two good games this weekend but we congratulate her on a wonderful achievement thus far and we’re still hoping for big things from her in the near future as well.”
Commerford is joined in the squad by Jocelyn Bartram, Edwina Bone, Lily Brazel, Emily Chalker, Jane Claxton, Maddison Fitzpatrick, Savannah Fitzpatrick, Rebecca Greiner Jodie Kenny, Rachael Lynch, Ambrosia Malone, Georgina Morgan, Kaitlin Nobbs, Brooke Peris, Michaela Spano, Sophie Taylor, Mariah Williams and Georgia Wilson.