Melbourne, March 12 (IANS): Hockey Australia (HA) Wednesday announced the national women's squad which will take on Japan in a five-match Test series in Kalgoorlie and Perth March 21-28.

HA named an 18-women team for the opening two Tests in Kalgoorlie (March 21-22) before they proceed to play three Tests (March 25, 27, 28) in Perth with a team of 22. Head coach Adam Commens will use the matches to assess the performance of the players ahead of selection for the World Cup which takes place at the end of April.

"Japan will be one of our opponents at the World Cup so the five Tests are a great opportunity to learn more about a team that we haven't played against competitively since 2010 when we met them at the last World Cup," Commens said.

"The games provide a chance for us to use all of our players from the national squad and we'll endeavour to give everyone a chance to push their case for selection as we head towards the World Cup."

Captain Madonna Blyth will return to action having recovered from the hand injury that prevented her from playing against South Africa in Cape Town in January.

Squad for March 21, 22 Tests: Teneal Attard, Madonna Blyth, Edwina Bone, Jane Claxton, Kirstin Dwyer, Casey Eastham, Anna Flanagan, Kate Jenner, Jodie Kenny, Rachael Lynch, Karri McMahon, Georgia Nanscawen, Ashleigh Nelson, Georgie Parker, Brooke Peris, Emily Smith, Ashlee Wells, Kellie White.

Squad for March 25, 27, 28 Tests: Teneal Attard, Madonna Blyth, Edwina Bone, Mathilda Carmichael, Jane Claxton, Kirstin Dwyer, Casey Eastham, Anna Flanagan, Jordyn Holzberger, Kate Jenner, Jodie Kenny, Rachael Lynch, Karri McMahon, Georgia Nanscawen, Ashleigh Nelson, Georgie Parker, Brooke Peris, Emily Smith, Jayde Taylor, Ashlee Wells, Kellie White, Mariah Williams.