THE long awaited return of international netball is set to commence as England Roses and New Zealand Silver Ferns lock horns in a three-test Cadbury international netball series. The competition will be held in New Zealand with the Roses forced into quarantine in order to comply with the appropriate COVID-19 restrictions. The Silver Ferns are coming off the domestic Cadbury Series where they were tested by the New Zealand Men’s side and the Under 21s, while the Roses have had limited opportunities and will be missing a couple of key cogs given their heavy workload in the Suncorp Super Netball, making them ineligible for this competition. In saying that, prepare for an almighty battle as the two nations gear up for their first international match since the beginning of the year.

Inside the goal circle the Ferns have a wealth of options with youngster Maia Wilson proving herself in the Cadbury Series to weather the storm and deliver under the post and from range, showcasing her increased repertoire. Captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio will be the one to watch for the Roses given her playmaking abilities paired with her long range shooting and commanding nature inside the goal circle. Returning from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Monica Falkner has not skipped a beat, with her drive, strong hands and speed all key factors in her game play.

Still developing their connections the Ferns will be hoping to stretch the relatively young and inexperienced defensive unit. However, Razia Quashie has proved she is no push over, able to body up on her opponent, force them high in the circle and go out hunting and while Fran Williams may only have 13 caps next to her name she offers a wealth of composure down back, able to read the play with great ease. it will be up to experienced head Jodie Gibson to lead the troops and potentially take on the likes of Ekenasio to stop her in her tracks and reduce the speed in which the Ferns play at, given there is no Layla Guscoth, Kate Shimmin or Geva Mentor due to their SSN commitments.

There is speed to burn right through the midcourt with the Ferns including the likes of nippy wing attack Whitney Souness and the ever-reliable Gina Crampton while the Roses boast a couple of new faces in Yasmin Parsons and the versatile Sophie Drakeford-Lewis who have a combined five caps between them. Expect Laura Malcolm to be a real general through the attacking third for England and create the attacking forays. With Laura Langman announcing her retirement across all levels of netball, the Silver Ferns will be hoping that the likes of Shannon Saunders, Claire Kersten and Sam Winders can all step up to the plate.

The latter two boast a wealth of versatility able to swing back into that wing defence position credit to their defensive mindset but have the endurance to run a whole game out through the centre. Although whoever gets the centre bib, will have their work cut out for them with Serena Guthrie making her way back into the Roses program and is raring to go. A real energiser bunny for the Roses, the ultra-athletic midcourter is renowned for doing the unthinkable and making something out of nothing, which she will be keen to replicate in Game 1. The Roses will be hoping that the experience of Jade Clarke will also come to the fore to stop the Ferns from gliding down the court with ease.

Missing Jo Harten and Helen Housby the Roses have a slightly different looking frontend with youngster George Fisher getting the call-up. Fisher is a commanding presence under the post, credit to her strong holds, high volume and relative accuracy.  She joins the likes of Eleanor Cardwell and Kadeen Corbin in what is a good mix of youth and experience. Corbin is a smooth mover, able to cover the court with great ease and deliver the ball seamlessly into the circle. But the Ferns have a strong defensive unit with Kelly Jury in career best form, showing no signs of her shoulder niggle and taking every opportunity that comes her way. Her connection with the versatile Karin Burger will be one to keep an eye out for, able to read the play and switch it up when needed while Sulu Fitzpatrick has elevated her game to be a real threat inside the goal circle with her aerial presence and tenacity. Jane Watson is a real general down back, renowned for throwing her body at absolutely everything and doing it cleanly making her an ominous threat for a developing Roses outfit.

Having not played international netball for moths, expect both sides to throw everything they have at the contest. However given the number of star players missing from the Roses side and the scintillating form the Ferns were in throughout the Cadbury Series, it is hard to see them losing the first game. They have a number of tried and tested combinations across the court and possess a wealth of composure and versatility while the Roses have a number of fresh faces keen to make a name for themselves and lock down a permanent spot in the squad making for an enthralling battle to kick things off.

New Zealand squad:

Karin Burger
Gina Crampton
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Monica Falkner
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Kelly Jury
Claire Kersten
Shannon Saunders
Whitney Souness
Jane Watson
Maia Wilson
Sam Winders

England Roses squad:

Eleanor Cardwell
George Fisher
Kadeen Corbin
Sophie Drakeford-Lewis
Yasmin Parsons
Laura Malcolm
Serena Guthrie
Gabriella Marshall
Jade Clarke
Imogen Allison
Amy Carter
Fran Williams
Razia Quashie
Vicki Oyesola
Jodie Gibson
Halimat Adio

Picture credit: Michael Bradley/Paul Greenwood