WITH the Nations Cup set to commence on Sunday we take a look at how each team is faring up heading into the first international tournament of 2020. It is the inaugural time this competition will take place with England, South Africa, Jamaica and New Zealand all set to do battle in hope to claim the Nations Cup. Hosts, England will boast a very different line-up with over half of the players named in the World Cup squad not taking the court.

Overview:

The Roses will be without a bucket load of stars and lacking some serious experience in each third but do not count them out of the contest given their ability to do the unthinkable. With a new coach at the helm, England has plenty to prove and will be hoping to kick the year off in style while also blooding some young up and coming talent to help forge the path for future Roses success. With depleted stocks, it will be up to captain Natalie Haythornthwaite and 172 cap veteran, Jade Clarke to lead the way especially in attack using their quick hands and silky footwork to penetrate the opposition defence.

Who’s missing?

Superstar goal keeper Geva Mentor will be absent from the Nations Cup side, leaving a big hole in the defensive unit. Mentor is in a league of her own, able to read the play with ease credit to her impressive timing and make an impact in the circle with her lean over the shot. She is strong in the air while her body positioning under the post blocks any easy access to the post for goalers. Usual shooting duo, Jo Harten and Helen Housby are both not taking part in the Nations Cup and will be sorely missed given their ability to turn and shoot, strong connection in the goal circle and accuracy to post. Fellow goal shooter, Rachel Dunn will also not be pulling on the dress for the Roses, leaving England in the lurch and missing her strength, accuracy and consistency under the post making it hard work in the front half. Another key player and the engine room for the Roses, Serena Guthrie has taken time away from netball making her ineligible for the tournament. Her loss will be hard to replace with the centre renowned for her speed, dynamic movement and excitability across the court.

Players to watch:

With Haythornthwaite the main cog in attack expect the wing attack to use her versatility and leadership to have an impact across the court. She can switch between wing and goal attack with ease making her an imposing threat especially if things are not going to plan in the circle. Razia Quashie is another one to watch with the Saracens Mavericks defender able to body up on her opponents and swat away any errant passes that come her way. Paired with Fran Williams, the two could become a deadly force in defence given their high netball nous, skill and smarts to rotate through the circle and cause congestion.

New additions:

Adelaide Thunderbirds goal keeper/ goal defence Kate Shimmin has been named in the squad and will bring plenty of experience albeit at a domestic level. Shimmin has only one cap next to her name but is no stranger to the netball court having plied her trade for many years in Australia. Her aerial skills and hunt for the ball is a prominent area of her game play and will have a big role to fill considering Mentor will not be around. Up the other end, George Fisher and Eleanor Cardwell will rotate through the shooter role and become the main scoring option for the Roses given Harten and Housby’s absence. Fisher has not had a wealth of experience at an international level but has the skillset to develop into a prominent goaler for the Roses. Young goal attack Sophie Drakeford-Lewis also made her way into the team for the Nations Cup with the shooter looking to make an impact credit to her smooth movement across the court. After some time away from the international side, West Coast Fever defender Stacey Francis is set to suit up and will have to use all her experiences to lead the youthful defence line-up. Renowned for her physical nature and athleticism, Francis will provide that element of unpredictability and enthusiasm down back. In her debut international series, Manchester Thunder midcourter Amy Carter will have plenty to prove and could provide that speed and dynamism across the court.

Team list:

Eleanor Cardwell, George Fisher, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, Kadeen Corbin, Natalie Haythornthwaite, Laura Malcolm, Amy Carter, Natalie Panagarry, Jade Clarke, Chelsea Pitman, Fran Williams, Razia Quashie, Kate Shimmin, Stacey Francis.