WITH the announcement of the three-test Cadbury Netball Series between New Zealand and England last week, Draft Central is delving into the international teams of both nations heading into the competition and the potential starting sevens, which could see some intriguing matchups. While New Zealand is expected to have a full strength squad bar its most recent retirees, the England Roses will boast a somewhat less experienced squad with much of its starting seven currently participating in the Suncorp Super Netball season in Australia.  Fighting for the Taini Jamison Trophy across three days from October 30 to November 1, both teams will boast some huge names with midcourt livewire Serena Guthrie expected to hit 100 international caps during the series (currently sitting on 98), while newly announced Leeds Rhinos recruit Jade Clarke will hold a critical position alongside Guthrie as two of the experienced names in the Roses lineup, while a couple of Ferns stars in Jane Watson, Katrina Rore and current captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio will look to hold up the trophy on home soil.  PREDICTED STARTING SEVEN

New Zealand Silver Ferns GS: Maia Wilson GA: Ameliaranne Ekenasio WA: Gina Crampton C: Shannon Saunders WD: Karin Burger GD: Katrina Rore GK: Jane Watson

England Roses GS: Eleanor Cardwell GA: Kadeen Corbin WA: Laura Malcolm C: Serena Guthrie WD: Jade Clarke GD: Fran Williams GK: Razia Quashie

Two teams that are missing experience in certain positions – whether through retirement or unavailability – means there will be some big battles across the court. For England, Draft Central predicts an experienced line-up with some of the more capped players to begin and then some rotation through either end to test the waters, with a couple of impressive names on the bench who could come on and have an impact. For New Zealand, there are very little weak spots with some hugely impactful players while the shorter break between matches will surely work in their favour given they managed a full ANZ Premiership season.  Starting in attack, the Ferns have a number of versatile goalers who can rotate through both positions but we have settled on Maia Wilson and captain, Ekenasio. Wilson was one of the most prolific and accurate shooters of the bunch this year which sees her get the nod in at goal shooter, while Ekenasio has been in sparkling form in recent years, with her ball winning tendencies seeing her lead in goal attack ahead of Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Bailey Mes with the latter still returning from injury. For England, a fairly inexperienced goaling unit heads up the court with Ellie Cardwell expected to hold down the fort in at goal shooter, just sneaking in ahead of George Fisher purely based on experience. Expect Fisher to get out there against some of her new Southern Steel teammates however, with the shooter joining the ANZ Premiership next season and able to score quickly and from range if required. Along a similar vein, we have named Kadeen Corbin in at goal attack, though expect to see silky mover Sophie Drakeford-Lewis at the post at some point.  Through the midcourt, versatile Ferns defender Karin Burger slots straight into wing defence after an outstanding ANZ Premiership season, while we expect Shannon Saunders to jump into centre ahead of speedster Kimiora Poi, with Gina Crampton out the front though Ferns fans will hope to see youngster Maddy Gordon gain her first cap in at wing attack after a fantastic season with the Central Pulse and a forged connection with Burger and Ekenasio already. For the Roses, Guthrie is expected to hold down centre and Clarke back in wing defence, with the two veterans more than capable of winning a game off their own hand with their gut running and speed. Out the front is a bit more tricky but we have slotted in Laura Malcolm, with the versatile midcourter able to provide the ball on a silver platter out the front. Expect youngsters Gabby Marshall and Yasmin Parsons to get their chance out the front too, while Team Bath fans could hope to see Imogen Alison gain her Roses debut in wing defence alongside Guthrie. Defensively, the Silver Ferns are no slouch and have not been for a while now with so many capable players able to rotate through the positions. We expect Rore and Watson to get the start, with the two coming off exceptional ANZ Premiership berths after making the grand final against each other. Watson added a new string to her bow this season, heading out into goal defence and rarely missing a beat, while Kelly Jury has an excellent connection with Rore and is more than capable of coming onto the court and having an impact where required. When it comes to England’s defence, we have gone with a relatively young duo in Fran Williams and Razia Quashie. The pair may be less experienced than much of the other players on court but are real livewires, with Williams able to provide great hands over pressure and Quashie coming in with quick feet and the ability to spot the cross court ball. Expect some rotation through the defensive unit, with Jodie Gibson able to fill a role on the transverse and both Vicki Oyesola and Halimat Adio able to step up if required. While both teams boast exciting line-ups, based on experience Draft Central expects the Silver Ferns to take out the trophy, though the Roses could steal a game off the side given their versatility and exciting up and coming talent in the squad.

Who’s missing? Both teams will miss some familiar faces, with a host of England players still in Australia and unable to participate despite the competition not being for another month. Goalers, Jo Harten and Helen Housby, midcourters Nat Haythornthwaite and Chelsea Pitman as well as a wealth of defenders in Geva Mentor, Layla Guscoth, Stacey Francis and Kate Shimmin are missing from the group. For the Ferns, they will be missing the experience of Laura Langman, Maria Folau and Casey Kopua, with all three players retiring from international netball and the latter two having retired from the sport overall.