Alex Danson has been named women’s captain for this summer’s major international hockey events.

Marlow-born Danson is one of England and Great Britain’s greatest ever hockey players, and has 100 goals and 273 caps to her name since making her international debut aged just 16.

The 32-year-old forward will first lead England for this weekend’s Investec Internationals in London, as well as July’s Hockey World League in South Africa, then August’s EuroHockey Championships when England go to Holland as defending champions. Later in 2017, a permanent captain and wider leadership group will be selected.

Head coach Danny Kerry has named a 20-strong squad to take on Argentina and Holland at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in the Investec Internationals.

Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch is back in the international fold for the first time since Rio, having been playing in Holland for a season. Alongside captain Danson, the squad also includes Rio medallists Laura Unsworth, Susannah Townsend, Sophie Bray, Hollie Webb, Shona McCallin, Lily Owsley and Nicola White.

Giselle Ansley is unavailable and will have surgery on a facial injury on Saturday. The squad also includes a number of new faces who will play on home soil for the first time in an exciting stage of their development.

Kerry said, “We are excited about the upcoming matches and as ever we play to win. Having said that the bigger picture is about looking at some combinations to help us make the best possible selection for the World League. To that end we will be trying some options and exploring the performance of those against some very good opposition.

“I look forward to seeing Alex lead the team through these games and the summer. Her breadth of experience, her natural empathy for both individuals and the wider performance needs will stand her in good stead over the coming summer tournaments.

“I believe we have an excellent group of leaders throughout the team and Alex is the visible sign of that and embodies the values of our group.”

Danson added, “It is a huge honour to be handed this captaincy for the summer and to lead a fantastic squad in some very important tournaments.

“We have a team full of very good leaders so in many ways I will be undertaking the exact same role as normal, and each and every one of us will give our all for the cause.

“I remember as a youngster, dreaming just to be part of the central programme with England and Great Britain, and now the entire squad strives every day to be successful for the country.

“It is great to be playing at home this weekend in the Investec Internationals, we have lots of special memories on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and given the growth of the sport since Rio, I think the games against Argentina and Holland are going to be pretty spectacular.”

She also scored her 100th goal as England mounted a superb fightback last weekend against Netherlands coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, only for England to lose 4-3 in an epic shootout.