Pinner and Smith make England squad

Beeston's George Pinner has been selected as first choice, with Patrick Smith of Cannock being chosen as the reserve, for the upcoming Hockey 9's Super Series and Champions Trophy games. Fair obviously looks like he won't be coming back for the Rio Olympics, so Pinner has finally been given the chance to lead his country from the back. Pinner has been biding his time since playing for the U21s and playing at Beeston since the ag of 18. With Brothers left out of selection at the previous Olympics and his consequent retirement, Smith has been drafted in as the reserve. It seems like an odd choice with him not getting regular games at club level with Fair as Cannock's first choice but seems to have impressed playing for England A and the U21s. It appears that other choices like Scanlon and Potton (who was drafted in as a reserve when the others were injured, previously) have been frozen out of contention. With no clear cut starter, I don't see why the coaching staff don't encourage more competition for the spots but there you go.