A LATE withdrawal yesterday from Jo Harten following a positive COVID-19 test prior to flying to England has thrown up an unexpected challenge for the 2022 Quad Series hosts. The Roses have been in great form and had plenty of international competition compared to their rivals at the event, taking on New Zealand in a three-game series, before hosting Jamaica last month. Though they will be without Harten, the Roses have plenty of depth at their disposal and could well be the team to beat.

Coming into the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the reigning gold medallists are at home for that event too, which gives the upcoming Quad Series extra importance. They have stars across every line, and even on the bench, with a splattering of developing talent coming through as well. Led by mighty midcourter Serena Guthrie, the Roses have four players currently in the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN), with the defensive end trio of Geva Mentor (Magpies), Eboni Usoro-Brown (Firebirds) and Stacey Francis-Bayman (Fever), as well as NSW Swifts’ shooter Helen Housby. Plying her trade in the ANZ Premiership, George Fisher has also been able to gain vital experience against Silver Ferns’ defenders.

ENGLAND ROSES 2022 QUAD SERIES SQUAD:

• Imogen Allison
• Eleanor Cardwell
• Jade Clarke
• Beth Cobden
• Sophie Drakeford-Lewis
• George Fisher
• Stacey Francis-Bayman
• Layla Guscoth
• Serena Guthrie (Captain)
• Nat Haythornthwaite
• Helen Housby
• Laura Malcolm
• Geva Mentor
• Eboni Usoro-Brown

Looking to the starting seven, without Harten it guarantees Eleanor Cardwell a look-in from the first centre pass. The Manchester Thunder shooter will team up well with Housby in the circle, whilst Natalie Metcalf (nee Haythornthwaite) will pick up where she left off following her Player of the Series against Jamaica. With Guthrie in the centre, Beth Cobden should get first opportunity at wing defence, meaning all three midcourters also have past SSN experience. With the return of Mentor, it means only one of Guscoth, Francis-Bayman and Usoro-Brown will earn the start, but they can rotate depending on the opponent.

On the bench, the experienced Jade Clarke can come on and fill a role in the midcourt, whilst Fisher, Sophie Drakeford-Lewis, Imogen Allison and Laura Malcolm are the developing talents coming through the program.

FIXTURES

vs. South Africa – January 15
vs. New Zealand – January 16
vs. Australia – January 18

PREDICTION

England looks the team to beat on form and based on home court advantage. With not much splitting the top three sides, the Roses have talent across all thirds of the court. Though the loss of Harten will hurt, the fact Cardwell is good enough to be a starter yet usually coming off the bench, means she will get her chance. A mix of experience and youth means there is plenty of excitement about the Roses heading into the series, to keep an eye out for them to take it up to their opponents. They are expected to knock off South Africa, before tackling the two big nations in New Zealand and Australia in the final two games.