Kookaburras’ 2023 World Cup team announced

The Kookaburras team for the 15th edition of the FIH Men’s World Cup being held in India from 13-29 January 2023 has been selected.

The team of 18-players includes five World Cup debutants – Josh Beltz, goalkeeper Johan Durst, Nathan Ephraums, Lachlan Sharp and Tom Wickham.

At the other end of the spectrum, Eddie Ockenden, who recently celebrated his 400 game milestone, will compete at his fourth World Cup, having been part of the Kookaburras’ successful 2010 and 2014 teams. 

Andrew Charter, Jeremy Hayward, Jake Whetton and Aran Zalewski will feature in their third World Cup campaigns.

Sharp and Tom Craig were not part of the Kookaburras’ Commonwealth Games gold medal winning team earlier this year and have played limited international hockey in the past 12 months.

However, after solid performances in the recent series against India in Adelaide, coupled with knowing what they are capable of, Kookaburras Head Coach Colin Batch said the selectors were confident the pair will make a telling contribution on the World Cup stage.

“We think this is the best team for the World Cup. There is a lot of flexibility in the group and there is a lot of experience there now…a lot of these guys have been through a couple of World Cups and a couple of Olympic Games,” said Batch.

“The only player who is still conditional is Tim Brand who will need to pass a fitness test before we leave for India.

“He had a tendon hamstring injury and his rehabilitation has gone really well so we’re confident that he will be ready.”

“Lachi (Sharp) hasn’t had a lot of hockey of late but we’re confident with what he can produce on the pitch,” said Batch.

“He’s an exciting player with the ball, he can create for us and adds another dimension to our attacking ability…he just needs some more hockey so he’ll get that in the next month.”

“Tom (Craig) has had an interrupted couple of years with injury. Through Tom working together with the medical team, we have come up with a good plan for him and he only played the two games against India but showed what he is capable of.”

“His ability to break through midfield and set up goal scoring opportunities, that was at a high level. We don’t expect that from him every time he gets the ball but he is capable of doing that. A fit Tom Craig is someone we want in the team.”

Jacob Anderson and Dylan Martin will head to India with the team as travelling reserves, Batch admitting they were unlucky to miss out but that they would be integral to the group’s success.

“The two unlucky ones who weren’t selected were Jacob Anderson and Dylan Martin. Both are very good players and they will join us in India and be every bit a part of our preparation and performance at the tournament.”

With just over a month until the start of the World Cup, Batch is relishing having the full squad together in Perth, something that has not happened since the Commonwealth Games. 

“The most valuable thing is getting the group together again,” said Batch. 

“We haven’t been together much since the Commonwealth Games and there is a lot of enthusiasm, energy and enjoyment among the group working together.”

The Kookaburras team will depart for India from Perth on 6 January ahead of their first match against France on 13 January.

The Kookaburras have claimed the prestigious World Cup trophy three times (1986, 2010, 2014) and finished on the podium on a further six occasions.

The Kookaburras are in Pool A with Argentina, France and recently crowned FIH Nations Cup winners South Africa.

The Kookaburras finished third in 2018, losing in a shootout to the Netherlands in the Semi Finals before defeating England 8-1 in the Bronze Medal match.

Blake Govers, who has the formidable record of 121 goals from 131 internationals, was the equal leading goal scorer at the 2018 World Cup with seven.

The 2023 Men’s World Cup will see 44 matches played over 17 days at two iconic venues – Bhubaneswar's Kalinga Stadium and Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium of Rourkela.

More information on the tournament can be found on the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 website.

Kookaburras team - FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023

Travelling Reserves

Kookaburras Pool Matches - FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023
Kookaburras v France
13 January 2023 (3.00pm local time, 8.30pm AEDT) 

Argentina v Kookaburras
17 January 2023, (7.00pm local time, 12.30am AEDT 18 January)

Kookaburras v South Africa
20 January 2023, (1.00pm local time, 6.30pm AEDT)

Full Match Schedule