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Experienced Australian men’s hockey striker Des Abbott has called time on his international career.
The 27-year-old, who also doubles up as a midfielder, turned out for the Kookaburras 111 times, scoring 61 goals since making his senior international debut during a Test series against the Netherlands in Canberra in January 2007.
The Darwin-born Abbot had missed the 2012 London Olympics after sustaining a knee injury and was replaced by Russell Ford.
The seasoned striker was a member of the Australian men’s hockey team that cornered glory in the 2008, 2008 and 2009 Champions Trophy tournaments held in Rotterdam, Melbourne and Monchengladbach.
Abbot was also part of the Kookaburras’ gold medal-winning team in the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, where they larruped India 8-0 much to the chagrin of the home fans.
At the 2008 Champions Trophy in Rotterdam, Abbott played a big part scoring against Korea and England in the league phase before finding his scoring stick in the 4-0 win over Spain in the final.
He was again in the thick of action in the 2009 Champions Trophy in Melbourne. He scored against England in the league before finding the target in the 5-3 win over Germany in the summit clash.
Abbot was in fine form at the 2010 Champions Trophy in Monchengladbach. He scored in the 6-3 win over Netherlands before again scoring against England in their 4-0 triumph in the final clash.
The striker was also part of the Aussie national team won a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He did the star turn for the Kookaburras scoring six goals in Beijing – his goals steered Australia to the bronze medal ahead of the Netherlands.
It may be worth mentioning that Abbott was named in the International Hockey Federation’s World All Star team in 2010 alongside Kookaburras teammates Jamie Dwyer and Eddie Ockenden, and coach Ric Charlesworth.
He is expected to continue playing club hockey for Perth.
His experience will be sorely missed by Australia in the 2014 World Cup.
