WELLINGTON, April 23: New Zealand hockey coach Kevin Towns has included one new cap and three recently introduced players in his team to contest Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey tournament in Malaysia next month, continuing his measured development policy.

He is building towards establishing stability for Oceania World Cup Qualifier against Australia in November followed by Commonwealth Games in March.

The new face is defender Shea McAleese. Three players to regain selection after debuting against Malaysia are striker Hamish Baron, defender Richard Petherick and midfielder Shaun Barnett.

Three experienced players unavailable for selection due to work commitments are defender Dion Gosling, midfielders Wayne McIndoe and Mitesh Patel.

Other notable inclusion is influential centre midfielder Simon Towns, who has been named as captain, with Ryan Archibald vice-captain.

“The team has a good balance of youth and experience. Sultan Azlan Shah represents a chance to measure ourselves in a tournament situation against some of best teams in the world as well as to expand our player base,” Towns said.

Azlan Shah Cup will be played in Malaysia from 26 May to 5 June, contested by Australia (ranked 2nd in the world), Pakistan (4), India (5), Korea (7), New Zealand (8) Malaysia (11) and South Africa (12).

New Zealand won a bronze medal at last Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2003.

New Zealand: Ryan Archibald, Hamish Baron, Gareth Brooks, Dean Couzins, Simon Towns, Bevan Hari, Paul Woolford, Shea McAleese, Brad Shaw, Shaun Barnett, Bryce Collins, Blair Hopping, David Kosoof, Darren Smith, Richard Petherick, Phillip Burrows, James Nation, Kyle Pontifex.—PPI