INTERNATIONAL netball never takes a break this time of the year, and merely days after the series between Australia and England, the next series is about to commence with the 2024 Taini Jamison Trophy between New Zealand and England kicking off tonight.

Unlike last year’s edition of this series – which New Zealand won two matches to one – these two sides come into this series off very different preparations.

The home side have not played a match since January’s Nations Cup, and have just been in camp. The side also has a few potential debutantes, with Claire O’Brien and Parris Mason rewarded for strong domestic seasons with potential Silver Ferns debuts.

The Silver Ferns also had a bit of a shake up to their squad in recent days, with Phoenix Karaka ruled out because of illness and Erena Mikaere taking her place in the squad.

This gives an interesting dynamic change to the Silver Ferns’ defence, because Mikaere adds physical presence but Karaka is arguably stronger aerially.

Meanwhile for England, it comes into the series off the back of a hard fought series with Australia and the confidence of its first win over the world number ones since 2018, so has plenty of match fitness in the bank.

Despite losing the series, one of the biggest positives to come out of that series for the Roses was the efforts of debutantes Lois Pearson and Jessica Shaw. There has been much talk recently about the depth England has at wing attack, but the Roses appear to have found themselves a solution in the space of three matches. This is particularly exciting for Pearson, who is generally a goal attack but has shown she can play wing attack really well so that has increased her chances of becoming a permanent fixture in Roses’ squads moving forward.

One of the other positives for England from that series was Olivia Tchine, who really took her opportunity for increased game time with the Roses with both hands, and will be looking to build on that this series.

The series kicks off in a few hours in Auckland. Fans in England can watch it via Sky Sports and Sky Sports Youtube, fans in New Zealand can watch it via Sky Sport NZ and fans outside those two countries can watch the series via NetballPass.

Taini Jamison Trophy Squads

New Zealand

Karin Burger
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Maddy Gordon
Kate Heffernan
Kelly Jackson
Parris Mason
Erena Mikaere
Grace Nweke
Claire O’Brien
Kimiora Poi
Whitney Souness
Amelia Walmsley
Maia Wilson

England

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

Taini Jamison Trophy Fixture

1st Test – Trusts Arena, Auckland

Sunday September 29 – 7:30pm local time, 4:30pm AEST, 7:30am BST

2nd Test – Te Rauparaha Arena, Wellington  

Wednesday October 2 – 7:30pm local time, 4:30pm AEST, 7:30am BST

3rd Test – ILT Stadium, Southland, Invercargill  

Sunday October 6 – 7:30pm local time, 5:30pm AEST, 7:30am BST