Adelaide series crucial World Cup preparation for Kookaburras

The latest chapter in a growing rivalry between the Kookaburras and India’s National Men’s Hockey Team will be written over the next week as the teams go toe to toe in a 5-match series at MATE Stadium in Adelaide starting on Saturday.

Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch and co-captain Eddie Ockenden (who is set to reach the remarkable 400 international matches milestone in Match 2 of the Series) were joined by India Head Coach (and former Kookaburra) Graham Reid and captain Harmanpreet Singh this afternoon to officially launch the series.

The matches, which will see the Kookaburras in Adelaide for the first time in 13 years, features the number one (Australia) and five (India) ranked teams in the world, as well as the silver and bronze medallists from the Tokyo Olympics.

The Kookaburras come into the series without any international competition since August when they defeated India to win a seventh straight Commonwealth Games gold medal.

This morning’s training session was the first time the squad had been together since Birmingham as a host of players were playing club hockey in Europe while others were based in their home states competing in the Sultana Bran Hockey One League.

Ockenden, who at the age of 35 will become the first Australian hockey player and only one of a handful worldwide to play 400 internationals, said he was excited to be in Adelaide and back in Kookaburras camp as they look towards the World Cup in January 2023.

“I want to thank the South Australian Government for having us here. It’s crucial for us to play games in Australia…we love playing at home so any chance we get we jump at it,” said Ockenden.

“This series is really important for us coming up to the World Cup in January. It’s great that India are here. We love playing against them and this will be great competition for us.”

“It was a bit daunting a few months ago (thinking about reaching my 400th) but I have come around to appreciating that it is a lot of games.

“Hockey has been a major part of my life for a long time and it’s really special to have people congratulate you or have former teammates, coaches, people I grew up playing hockey with in Tasmania, saying nice things about you, so I’m going to try and enjoy it. I’ll have my family here as well which is great.”

The Kookaburras and India have met twice since COVID in 2020 – at the Tokyo Olympics and this year’s Commonwealth Games goal medal match.

On both occasions the Kookaburras scored seven goals in scintillating displays. However, with the lack of training time together, coupled with India having played four FIH Pro League matches in the past month, Batch says this series will be a stern test.

“It will be great competition for us…India is a really strong team and these will be the only matches we will play before the World Cup, so we’re delighted to have a team of India’s calibre to play against,” said Batch.

“We feel like we can take some strong steps in our preparation for the World Cup.

“Unlike the Olympics where we had 6-7 months training together, we haven’t had that leading up to the World Cup so the importance of these matches…the meetings and trainings we have between now and then will hopefully enable us to reach that level again.”

“Selection for spots in the World Cup team are up for grabs in this series but we just want to play as well as we can and re-establish our connections and understandings on the pitch.”

Batch and Reid, who have each played a part in Ockenden’s career, both acknowledged the magnitude of the Tasmanian’s pending milestone.

“It is an outstanding achievement. We’re thrilled for Eddie and his family and look forward to a big crowd turning up on Sunday and on all five match days,” said Batch.

Reid said, “To play 400 matches is an incredible number, but to have that longevity in any sport means you have to be dedicated, resilient and both of those traits describe Eddie’s personality… add to that he’s a really nice guy.”  

Reid, who has played for and coached the Kookaburras, said this series was an ideal build up for his team’s World Cup campaign on home soil.

“There is no better place to come than Australia for preparation for the World Cup,” said Reid.

“Australia’s way of play is very grounded in India. What’s great about this series is that both teams get to learn about the different skills that both bring to the table.

Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh is a dual World Player of the Year and he leads a team that is aiming to make a statement over the coming five matches against the Kookaburras.

“It’s always good when you get to play the best,” said Harmanpreet.

“Having these matches before the World Cup will help us a lot and help build our bonding and confidence, so I’m looking forward to playing well here.”

Kookaburras v India Series
MATE Stadium, Adelaide
Match 1 - Saturday 26 November (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Match 2 - Sunday 27 November (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Match 3 - Wednesday 30 November (6.30pm local time, 7.00pm AEDT)
Match 4 - Saturday 3 December (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)
Match 5 - Sunday 4 December (4.00pm local time, 4.30pm AEDT)

Ticketing details: Available now through Ticketek
Broadcast: LIVE on FOX Sports, Kayo and livestreamed on LIVEHockey. The matches will also be streamed globally on Watch.Hockey (geo blocked in Australia and India). In India the matches will be shown on Star Sports First, Star Sports Select 1.