England avoid champions in Commonwealth hockey draw

Barry Middleton's side go in search of an elusive first gold

England have avoided reigning champions Australia in the pool stages of both the men's and women's hockey draws for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

England's men are in pool B along with New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago in the draw.

England's women, who won bronze at the Melbourne Games four years ago, are in pool B with New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia and Wales.

Scotland are not so lucky, with their men and women both drawing Australia.

As well as facing the reigning Commonwealth and World Cup champions, Scotland's men face Pakistan and Malaysia, the silver and bronze medallists from four years ago, and host nation India.

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The Scottish women's team have been handed an equally tough draw, featuring Australia, India, South Africa and Trinidad & Tobago.

Australia have dominated the Commonwealth hockey tournaments since the sport was added to the Games in 1998.

The only time they failed to win gold was when they took bronze in the women's competition at Manchester 2002, when India won gold.

England have won hockey medals at each Games, but are yet to strike gold.

In Kuala Lumpur in 1998 the women won silver and the men bronze, while the women were runners-up again in Manchester in 2002.

In Melbourne four years ago the women beat New Zealand in the bronze medal match, but the men lost to Malaysia at the same stage.

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Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games hockey draw:

Men
Pool A: Australia, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Scotland
Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago

Women
Pool A: Australia, South Africa, India, Scotland, Trinidad & Tobago
Pool B: England, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Wales