Disgraced Australian men’s international Tom Craig has earned a recall to Mark Hager’s Kookaburras side after a “heartbreaking” six-month ban.
Craig, who played in the Hockey India League in January, was arrested in Paris on suspicion of buying cocaine following the side’s Paris Games exit and suspended from international hockey
Hager has picked European-based Craig in his Pro League squad which also features powerhouse Blake Govers, Lachlan Sharp and fit-again striker Joel Rintala.
Craig, who has played 142 games for Australia and was retained in December by Hager, told AAP: “I can’t really put to words how grateful I am for everyone who’s supported me. It’s going to feel amazing.
“I wasn’t sure if it was going to happen and fortunately it has, so I really can’t wait to get out there.”
“Sitting there watching the boys play in Sydney [in the Pro League] … completely new squad, kind of equal parts heartbreaking I couldn’t be out there but exhilarating about what the next four years is going to hold.
“It was pretty challenging to miss those games.”
Skipper Eddie Ockenden, Aran Zalewski, Jake Whetton, Matt Dawson and goalkeeper Andrew Charter have all retired since Paris 2024 and Colin Batch stepped down. It means that Hager has concocted some fresh new faces.
Rintala scored a first-half hat-trick in his debut before injuries set in, but returns as a name to look out for in future years.
“I’m so keen to get to Europe and have a good crack,” the drag-flick specialist said.
“I feel like I’ve been watching training for a long time now … it’s been frustrating, but I do it because I just love playing hockey.”
Australia play India, Ireland, England and Germany in their eight-game tour as they bid to retain their Pro League title.
Australia Pro League squad
Davis Atkin, Josh Beltz, Hayden Beltz, Tim Brand, Cooper Burns, Tom Craig, James Collins, Nathan Czinner, Nathan Ephraums, Blake Govers, Anand Gupte, Tom Harvie, Jeremy Hayward, Liam Henderson, Tim Howard, Craig Marais, Joel Rintala, Lachlan Sharp, Jed Snowden (gk), Ash Thomas (gk), Jack Welch, Ky Willott.
