THE LAST international series between the big countries of world netball gets underway this weekend as England and Jamaica battle it out for the 2024 Horizon Series.

The first two matches will be played in the AO Arena in Manchester, before the series heads to Kingston in Jamaica a week later for tests three and four.

For England, the squad for this series is essentially the same as the one that went to Australia and New Zealand, with Halimat Adio the only new face into the squad.

The Roses’ series in Australia and New Zealand showed some really promising signs for the future. Jessica Shaw and Lois Pearson really slotted into international netball with ease, and looked right at home at the top level. Beth Cobden also slotted right back into the Roses line up seamlessly, while Olivia Tchine grew in confidence as the two series’ went on, really benefiting from an increase in court time. This shows there is more variety and depth confidently at Jess Thirlby’s disposal which will make her side less predictable in a positive way.

They do have some interesting questions to ponder in the defence though.

Funmi Fadoju and Fran Williams seem to be the go to defensive combination on court, but with the increased height in the Jamaican shooters’ group, will Alice Harvey see an increase in court time?

Meanwhile the Jamaicans were forced into a late change to their squad, with skipper Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard withdrawing because of medical reasons. However, as a sign of the absolute luxury the Jamaicans have at their disposal, her replacement is none other than Romelda Aiken-George.

Even though the Jamaicans are ranked lower than England in the world rankings, they still have plenty of well known stars that will certainly give the English a run for their money.

Their defence end is the envy of the world. The English attackers will have to be really mindful of how they feed the shooting circle with the leap of Shamera Sterling-Humphrey to navigate, and with Sterling-Humphrey teaming up with Latanya Wilson and Jodi-Ann Ward, it will certainly not be a walk in the park in attack for the English.

Up the other end, and Aiken-George will team up with Shanice Beckford, who will be all the better for having now spent a year in the Suncorp Super Netball system. The shooting end will also be joined by a new face in Rhea Dixon, with the former Under 21 Rose now switching allegiances and looking to make her full netball after playing for Jamaica in last year’s fast five series.

Squads for 2024 Horizon Series

England

Halimat Adio      
Imogen Allison
Amy Carter        
Beth Cobden    
Funmi Fadoju   
Alice Harvey      
Helen Housby 
Hannah Joseph
Berri Neil
Lois Pearson     
Razia Quashie
Ellie Rattu
Jess Shaw          
Liv Tchine           
Fran Williams     

Jamaica

Romelda Aiken-George
Shanice Beckford
Mischa Creary
Simone Gordon
Rhea Dixon
Abigale Sutherland
Khadijah Williams
Kimone Shaw
Crystal Plummer
Zaudi Green
Theresa Beckford
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey
Latanya Wilson
Jodi-Ann Ward

Fixture for 2024 Horizon Series

Saturday 16 November – AO Arena, Manchester, England

Sunday 17 November– AO Arena, Manchester, England

Monday 25 November – National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica 

Tuesday 26 November – National Indoor Sports Centre, Kingston, Jamaica