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Mitton fits for Kookaburras

Pic: Bil Hatto

The Kookaburras are fast approaching the end of an era and WA striker Trent Mitton is desperate to be part of coaching great Ric Charlesworth's swan song.

Mitton, 23, will line up for Australia in a two-Test series against New Zealand starting at the Perth Hockey Stadium tonight.

It will be the final chance for squad members to stake their claim for a prestigious World Cup berth at a time when experienced quartet Kieran Govers, Simon Orchard, Kiel Brown and Matthew Swann are returning to the team.

Australia are gunning to defend their title at the tournament starting in the Netherlands on May 31.

A double that will include the Commonwealth Games is the wider goal before Charlesworth steps down as coach after a highly-successful six years in the role.

Mitton has 54 Test caps to his name, but has battled for a regular berth since making his debut in May 2010.

He said making a World Cup squad would be the highlight of his career.

"I've been waiting for a big game against a world-class side," he said.

"We've done so much training, so much hard work. It's a great opportunity.

"It's been an interesting journey for me, making the Commonwealth Games quite young as a 19-year-old and then it's been up and down since then.

"It was disappointing not making the London (Olympics) squad, but it was exactly consistency. I'd have a good game and then I'd have a few bad ones.

"It just wasn't enough to put me in the squad, which I think was fair at the time. I didn't deserve to be there.

"But I think my game's improved since then.

"The last couple of years I think I've taken it to a new level."

Mitton said scoring goals against the Kiwis was the best way to guarantee his World Cup place.

He has scored roughly a goal every three matches during his career to date.

"It's about staying in the game for the full 70 minutes," he said.

"I'd be good in patches, but I tended to drift in and out."

World Cup glory runs in the Mitton family.

The striker's father, Grant, was part of the Kookaburras team that won Australia's first World Cup crown in 1986.

The pedigree also extends to his grandfather, Don, who played for Australia during the 1950s.

Mitton said it would be a fairytale if Australia could win the two major tournaments before Charlesworth's retirement.

"It's quite clear that after the World Cup and Commonwealth Games, going forward there could be a chunk of guys that could be retiring," he said.

"I'd love to be a part of the next stage of the Kookaburras."

Jamie Dwyer will miss the two-Test series against New Zealand, which continues on Saturday night, with a hamstring injury. Both matches start at 7pm.

I didn't deserve to be there. But I think my game's improved since …" *Trent Mitton *