The invitational tournament is a test event for this summer's Olympics, taking place at the Riverbank Arena in the Olympic Park.

South Korea, China and Champions Trophy holders Argentina will be joining the hosts for the competition, which begins next Wednesday (May 3) and runs until Sunday (May 6).

At Beijing 2008, hosts China finished as runners up to the Netherlands, with Argentina coming third, with Britain going out at the group stage.

The squad is almost identical to that which travelled to Rósario, Argentina, earlier this year for the Champions Trophy, where Britain narrowly lost to the hosts in the final – the first time British women have reached this stage of the competition.

In addition to the 16 who went to Argentina, Rebecca Herbert (pictured below, left) and Susie Gilbert (pictured top) will play at next week's tournament.

"The final Olympic team will not necessarily come from this squad," Kerry said.


"[South] Korea and China will both be in our pool for the Olympic Games and so there will also be an element of keeping back aspects of our game."

Intriguingly, Kerry opted to name just one goalkeeper, Beth Storry of Reading.

"We have decided to only name one goalkeeper for the four matches to facilitate looking further at outfield options," said Kerry.

"Our primary aim at the test event will be looking at combinations of players across certain lines to assist our thinking toward the final Olympic Games and to continue to evolve our play.

"Our opponents offer us an excellent opportunity to further experience their styles of play.

"All the teams contain a considerable counter-attack threat.

"Park for [South] Korea is one of the world's leading forwards and has a very differing skill set to many forwards against whom we play.

"Fu Barong, Song Qingling and Gao for China represent a major strike force with Olympic silver medal credentials.

"World Champions Argentina have high levels of individual skill across their playing group allied with tactical acumen and big match experience.


"We feel very capable of matching these world class teams but the focus ultimately will be on preparing for the Games themselves.

"Results in this respect are secondary to our Olympic preparation."

Forward Alex Danson (pictured above, centre), Crista Cullen – a constant threat at penalty corners – and captain Kate Walsh will be the key women in the squad.

Walsh is also in line to make her 100th appearance next week against South Korea.

The squad features five players from the victorious Leicester team at the recent Investec Women's Hockey League.

Also selected is Helen Richardson, who was named in the 2011 International Hockey Federation (FIH) All Stars team along with Danson.

Following the tournament, the team will have one final competition, the Investec London Cup taking place from June 5 to 10 at the grounds of the University of Westminster in Chiswick.

Britain kick off next week against South Korea at lunchtime on Wednesday, before facing China at the same time the following day.

Kerry's side then have a rematch with Argentina at 11.45am on Saturday 5, before the final the following day.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]