Kookaburras Open Two-Test Series with 4-0 Win over India

The Kookaburras have impressed with a 4-0 win over India in the first of a two-Test series being hosted in Perth.

Trent Mitton overcame a recent nasty injury to his finger to take his place in the line-up for Australia, where he was joined by fellow West Australians Jake Harvie and Aran Zalewski.

It was a pair of braces however, from Blake Govers and Jeremy Howard that smoothed the Kookaburras’ path to a hard fought four-goal victory in front of 1,100 fans.

Govers opened the scoring with a stroke in the 15th minute before Hayward added a second with a trademark drag flick which was too good for India keeper Krishan Pathak.

After an end-to-end second period, India pushed Australia in the third quarter before removing their goalkeeper for an outfield player in the final five minutes, allowing the hosts to capitalise.

Hayward fired in from a short corner in the 59th minute, while Govers shot high into the unguarded net to make it 4-0 and round out the win in front of more than 1,100 fans.

The match was closer than the score line suggested although the Kookaburras will be content with the win as they prepare for the European leg of the FIH Pro League next month.

The two nations will do battle again at Perth Hockey Stadium from 6:30pm AWST on Friday night, with the match available to watch live on Hockey Australia’s Youtube channel.

-with HockeyAus