Goalkeeper eyeing Australian position
Tyler Lovell is hoping his heroics in the Hockey India League will lead to his promotion as the No.1 goalkeeper for the Kookaburras.
Lovell arrived back in Perth last week after playing an important role in the Ranchi Rays' 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over the Punjab Warriors in the HIL final.
Having negotiated a penalty shoot-out in the semifinal, the 27-year-old West Australian said he was more than prepared for the moment.
"I felt confident with it," Lovell said. "I just relaxed and just calmed down and knew the pressure was on the forwards as much as me."
In a twist of fate, Lovell wouldn't have been at the lucrative tournament had it not been for a late call-up from Ranchi, who are co-owned by Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni.
Lovell did not put his name up for auction and had to wait for approval from tournament officials before it was confirmed 10 days out from his departure.
"They actually rang me and asked if I would like to come," he said. "After the Champions Trophy I came back and I was scheduled to have a shoulder operation on New Year's Eve.
"I spoke to the national coaches and decided to go to India instead and put off the surgery."
Lovell said he relished the responsibility of being the main man in hockey's answer to cricket's IPL.
He has been a regular in the Kookaburras squad, but Andrew Charter has been the man entrusted to mind the goals in the big tournaments.
"That's the first time I've really had the opportunity to be the No.1 keeper in such a unique tournament or big tournament," he said.
"I haven't had that opportunity yet with the Kookaburras. Hopefully now I've performed and showed that I can do it I will get the opportunity.
"The whole way through it's been all about consistency for me and taking opportunities when they come.
"I think I've done that every time I've played for Australia."
Lovell said he would now likely have minor surgery mid-year and was not concerned about the impact on his Olympic preparation, with only three months required for a full recovery.
He would like to play in India again next year.
"I really hope I get picked up because next year everyone goes back into the auction and three-year contracts will be given out again," he said. "I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, but fingers crossed I do get picked up for something reasonable."
"Hopefully now I've performed and showed that I can do it I will get the opportunity."" *Tyler Lovell *
