Despite second-Test goals from Surbiton’s James Tindall and Matt Daly, England went down 2-0 in their three-test series with Pakistan.
Having already won 2-1 in the first test, Pakistan raced into a 3-0 lead in the second match at Chase Park, home of Cannock Hockey Club.
A superb open-play shot from Tindall in the 54th minute and a penalty corner conversion from Daly four minutes later gave England hope, but the hosts could not force an equaliser.
With Tindall, Daly and Surbiton team-mates Richard Alexander, Ben Hawes and Rob Moore again all among their ranks, England gained a 1-1 draw from the final match of the series.
A stunning reverse-stick strike from Reading’s Iain Mackay gave England a 13th-minute lead, but a dazzling passing move led to Syed Abbas Haider crashing home an equaliser nine minutes into the second half.
The closest England came to a winner came with 16 minutes remaining when East Grinstead’s Ashley Jackson shuddered the bar from a penalty corner.
Surbiton’s five hopefuls are currently among 30 England players involved in training camps up to Wednesday next week, ahead of a friendly international against the Netherlands at Bisham Abbey on Sunday, July 19 (11am).
England then have three internationals against India before the final 18-man squad is selected for the EuroHockey Nations Championship in Amsterdam from August 22-30.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article