THE 2019 Netball World Cup sees 16 countries head to Liverpool, England, with 60 matches played over the 10 day period between July 12-21. Countries have been split into four pools, playing a round robin in that pool before going further depending on their respective success.

Jamaica have rocketed into second on the International Netball Federation World Rankings as of the beginning of July, putting the side in the position to go far in the Netball World Cup based on confidence alone after beating out New Zealand for the bronze medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. The Sunshine Girls have proved they have what it takes to challenge the top sides in recent years, using their underdog status to push teams across the board and pose a big threat if given the opportunity. Jamaica have possibly the most difficult lineup of the top five countries as they are in Pool C, taking on South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and Fiji in the opening matches before potentially proceeding forward in the competition.

Captain and dominant goal shooter, Jhaniele Fowler is among the biggest names in the Sunshine Girls camp, standing tall at the post and aided by Romelda Aiken who has proved a stalwart option in the circle since her debut. With young gun Shimona Nelson named but unable to play due to an ongoing injury and limited load, Shanice Beckford will be the key in attack to both feed into the circle and provide a small, speedy option inside with a skilled long-bomb shooting ability. However, with both Fowler and Aiken likely to play the role of the traditional tall holding shooter, it will be down to form for who takes the court, especially given neither player has the versatility, speed or endurance to rotate into goal attack. Aiken can also play a valuable role in defence if required, mixing in with the likes of Shamera Sterling, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Stacian Facey and Vangelee Williams to generate valuable ball back and propel through the midcourt to attack. Sterling has an exceptional track record over the past year, using her consistency, long arms and lithe movement to cleanly intercept and pick off the loose ball, while Facey and Dehaney can provide different height options to highlight their respective aerial and footwork abilities. But while Jamaica have dominant options bookending the court in both attack and defence, the Sunshine Girls’ midcourt is a relatively unknown quantity so will likely be the difference in the big matches of the competition against more consistent sides. Through the midcourt are Adean Thomas, Khadijah Williams, Nicole Dixon and Jodi-Ann Ward, who all have a wealth of experience and versatility to play whichever role is required of them. With Beckford able to rotate into the midcourt and Ward able to move into the defensive circle if needed, the side certainly has no shortage of options in the instance of injury.

Fixtures:

Round 1: vs. Fiji, July 12
Round 2: vs. Trinidad and Tobago, July 13
Round 3: vs. South Africa, July 14

Predicted finish: 5th