England face Dutch examination

Hockey

England meet the Olympic champions, the Netherlands, in a one-off Test match here tonight before moving on to play in a four-nations tournament where the two countries will be joined by South Africa and Pakistan, the world champions.

Surprisingly, England have made just one change from the squad thrashed by Germany in Duisburg 10 days ago. The expected return of Russell Garcia, who had engagements with his Dutch club, HDM, that week-end, has left no room for Teddington's James Wallis.

The sole change will have done nothing to address the lack of speed in the English defence which the Germans exposed, although the availability of Guy Fordham, who was injured in training in Germany, will help.

The Dutch, who in March beat England 6-0 in Karachi in the Golden Jubilee Tournament before losing in the final to Germany, will provide formidable opposition as England start their build-up for next year's World Cup in Utrecht. Pakistan, England's opponents in Breda on Thursday and in the same World Cup group, could be the most interesting match.

ENGLAND SQUAD (v Netherlands, Test match, Groningen, today): J Wyatt, S Mason (both Reading), D Woods (Southgate), B Crutchley, A Humphrey, J Pidcock, B Sharpe (all Cannock), P McGuire (Teddington), R Garcia (HDM, Netherlands), C Giles (Laren, Netherlands), D Luckes (East Grinstead), G Fordham (Hounslow), Soma Singh, B Waugh (both Southgate), D Hall (Ilford), J Lee (Old Loughtonians).