Field hockey: New-look Aussies set for tough test in India

BHUBANESWAR, India: Field hockey´s elite are set for an exciting tussle in India from Saturday as dominant Australia seek an incredible sixth successive Champions Trophy title.

The eastern city of Bhubaneshwar hosts the prestigious eight-nation invitation tournament regarded as the third biggest prize in the sport after the Olympics and the World Cup.

With the World Cup held at the Hague in the Netherlands in June, the nine-day competition gives respective coaches an opportunity to look ahead and rebuild for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Australia showcased their undisputed prowess when they retained both the World Cup title and the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Glasgow earlier this year.

But a field that includes five other nations that have won an Olympic gold -- Germany, the Netherlands, England, India and Pakistan -- besides the fast-improving Belgium and Argentina, opens up the competition at the Champions Trophy.

The Kookaburras wear a new look in the absence of veterans Liam de Young and Rob Hammond, who retired after the World Cup, and five-time world player of the year Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles, who are both injured.

Graham Reid, who replaced the legendary Ric Charlesworth as head coach earlier this year, insisted he was focused on rebuilding a young team for the future.

Reigning Olympic champions Germany will bank on one of the most gifted squads in the competition to bounce back after a disappointing sixth-place finish at the World Cup.

The Netherlands, ranked second in the world, are hungry for a major title after finishing runners-up to Germany at the London Olympics and again to Australia at the World Cup.

England are relying on experienced players like Ashley Jackson and captain Barry Middleton to deliver a maiden Champions Trophy title after finishing fourth at the World Cup.

Arch-rivals Pakistan have also endured a traumatic year where they failed to qualify for the World Cup and also could not gain a direct entry to the 2016 Olympics.

The teams have been divided into two groups for the preliminary league which will determine the line-up for the knock-out stage to be contested by all sides.