THE first day of the Nations Cup is set to kick off on Sunday with all four nations hoping to get their first win on the board. We take a look at two potential matchups from each game and assess the likely outcome.

ENGLAND v. NEW ZEALAND

Fran Williams (GD) v. Ameliaranne Ekenasio (GA)

In the first international game of 2020, both players will want to have an immediate impact and kick start their campaign on a positive note. New Ferns skipper Ekenasio oozes experience and class while Williams is still perfecting her craft down in defence.

Williams has proven time and time again that she can be a game changer with her read of the play and attacking nature. Her ability to get hands to ball and cause confusion for the feeders is second to none, constantly getting in the way down in defence. Williams is persistent and does not give an inch, riding every bump to remind opponents of her physical nature. Her footwork is highly impressive, able to get around the body and collect a tip or force a turnover making her a constant threat. Although she is still young, she has plenty of drive and determination which is a key element of her game.

After a stellar 2019 at both an international and domestic level Ekenasio has been gifted the captaincy. The new Silver Ferns leader will be chomping at the bit to get on the court and cause havoc in the goal circle. Ekenasio can shoot from anywhere with high release and smooth action a key aspect of her game play. She sweeps across the top of the goal circle with ease but can change up her game play in the blink of an eye not afraid to take the hard drive along the baseline, or become a holding shooter. She does a wealth of transition work to bring the ball down the court and consistently re-offers to help reset play and surge forward. Ekenasio is highly versatile, able to slot into goal shooter when need be and can post a high total of goals credit to her accuracy and high netball IQ.

Ekenasio is a confidence player, so if Williams can get on top early it will go a long way in disrupting the attacking flow of the Ferns especially given the retirement of Maria Folau and the inconsistent form of Bailey Mes. Up against someone with the calibre of Ekenasio, the Roses goal defence will have to work in overdrive to cover her every move and remain a threat for a full four quarters.

JAMAICA v. SOUTH AFRICA

Jhaniele Fowler (GS) v. Phumza Maweni (GK) 

There will be plenty of action in this match-up with both players renowned for their dynamic movement and athleticism. Jamaican shooter, Fowler is a mastermind under the post while Maweni is no slouch, often flying under the radar.

Fowler is as impressive as they come, not overawed by the occasion and instead thriving on the opportunity. She is a commanding presence under the post and can vary up her game style as shown in the latter half of the Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) season. Renowned for her typical holding goal shooter style, Fowler has shown that she can get on the move and is not afraid to drive into the circle to create space. She is prolific under the post and remains close by the ring where she does the most damage. Her aerial ability is second to none, getting up high to receive passes while her ball control is just as solid. Despite her height, Fowler is quite light on her feet with balance another important element of her game play.

The South African goal keeper has come along in leaps and bounds in recent years, taking some decent scalps and minimising the impact of star shooters. Maweni does not take a backwards step, consistently working to better herself and frequently injecting herself into the game with her leap. Her read of the play and netball IQ is high, able to get into the right positions quickly and cut off any forward forays by the opposition. What she lacks in bulk and stature, Maweni makes up for in tenacity and skill, able to get timely tips and hunt the ball to take big intercepts. Her footwork is impressive, able to get around the body of her opponents with ease and cause confusion for the feeders with her quick change of direction and long wing-span.

If the Jamaican shooter can make her mark early with her commanding presence and proficiency the Spar Proteas will be on the back foot and forced into catch-up, a position they do not want to be in against Jamaica. It will take more than Maweni’s efforts in goal keeper to shut down Fowler meaning the South African defensive unit in Karla Pretorius and Shadine van der Merwe will have to work together if they are to reign supreme.