Harry Martin scored from two penalty corners as England defeated Malaysia 4-1 yesterday to qualify for the World League Finals that take place in India, later this year.

Ipswich-born Martin, whose sister Hannah has just been selected for England’s women’s squad for the Hockey World League Semi-final in Johannesburg, scored after five and 28 minutes, either side of a David Ames strike that put Bobby Crutchley’s men firmly in the driving seat,

England, for whom fellow Ipswich-born goalkeeper George Pinner, played in goal, have also qualified for the World Cup and made it 4-1 through Phil Roper’s strike.

Crutchley said: “I’m really pleased with the step forward we’ve taken in a pressurised situation with World Cup and World League Finals qualification on the line.

“We achieved that, and that gives a really good opportunity to prepare for the next 18 months with lots of exciting tournaments ahead.”