Tom Craig — the Kookaburra who served a six-month ban for attempting to buy drugs at the Paris Olympics — will return for the country’s FIH Pro League title defence.
But West Australian star Jake Harvie has a fresh groin injury and will miss the the tour of Europe and the United Kingdom.
Harvie’s brother Tom will return to the squad for his first major series after an injury of his own. The youngest of the South West products made his debut for the national team earlier this year.
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The Kookaburras are sixth on the Pro League standings, but are just four points behind surprise leaders England and one point behind Germany.
They will play eight games — including four in Antwerp, two in London and two in Berlin — to round out the tournament.
Their first match is against India in Antwerp on June 14.
Craig was slapped with the ban after he was caught attempting to purchase drugs in the wake of the Kookaburras’ disastrous Olympic campaign.
He was held over night by police in Paris. Six months of the 12-month suspension were suspended.
Hockey Australia says the forward has now met conduct and behaviour requirements, making him eligible to play.
Gun pair Blake Govers and Lachlan Sharp will both also return for the tour.
“It’s fantastic to have the experience of Blake, Tom and Lachie back in our side for this tour. Blake with his goalscoring capabilities, combined with Tom, who brings speed to our front line, and Lachie’s versatility through the middle,” Kookaburras coach Mark Hager said.
Tom Harvie made his debut alongside his brother in January before he missed the team’s trip to Argentina.
Harvie revealed his brother had pushed through injury so the pair could play together earlier in the year. The 24-year-old has been upgraded to the full squad for this year.
“It does feel different now that I’m in the Kookaburras squad. I’ve definitely felt an urge over the last few months to get back to full fitness because you want to play for your country,” Harvie said.
“It’s unfortunate that Jake won’t be on tour. He’s trying to rehab his own injury.
“He’s been there throughout my whole journey, and he probably pushed his injury a little bit just to play alongside me in Sydney. So, it will be really tough not to have him there, but we both know he’ll be back and we can play together again soon.”
https://thewest.com.au/sport/field-hockey/tom-craig-banned-olympian-tom-craig-returns-to-kookaburras-side-for-crucial-fih-pro-league-tour–c-18625038
