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Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Kate Walsh Set for Century









Captain Kate Walsh may be on the verge of winning her 100th Great Britain cap but even she admits to suffering the odd pang of anxiety when the squads are announced.

The 31-year-old defender made the cut for the Olympic test event this week and will lead the side out against Korea on Wednesday.

However, with this four nations tournament also the last before selection later this month for the London Games, tensions will be high in the next few weeks.

Despite her vast experience - with 13 years in international hockey and a combined 283 appearances - Walsh is not in any way complacent about her position.
Anxious

She said: "Even now when squads are announced I go straight to 'W' and look for my name.

"I think you are always anxious and you never know. There is also the injury concern as well. Even though you are in the squad you are not there (at the Olympics) until you are there.

"We all know that and that is why we all keep training so hard."

Coach Danny Kerry insists that places are still up for grabs for July and Walsh accepted every player had been given a fair chance to prove their worth.

She added: "It is difficult when you have people who have not been selected who are training alongside you but, ultimately, Danny has seen a lot of us for three years or longer.

"So it is important to keep in mind whatever you do in the next two weeks probably won't really affect things too much.

"Most of the squad have been in pressure tournament situations so this week it is going to be important to get a feel for what it is like standing on the pitch with a full crowd.

"And it is good to get some match practice and some games under our belts."
Baffling

Winning 100 GB caps is an achievement but because of the unique way the home nations operate - remaining separate but combining for the Olympics - Walsh thinks some of her opponents on Wednesday may be slightly baffled.

"As players we only really look at international caps so it is slightly strange we have GB and England caps," she added.

"It will be funny for the opposition when they hear I've got 100 caps because they'll think 'How can she have only 100 when she's been playing for years?' But it is an honour to reach any milestone."

After Korea the women face China and Argentina this week, with the top-two from the round-robin contesting Sunday's final.

Great Britain's men, without rested captain Barry Middleton, start against Germany with India and Australia to follow.



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