Sunshine Girls name 2022 Taini Jamison Trophy squad
JAMAICA will be without the majority of its first-choice players in the 2022 Taini Jamison Trophy against New Zealand over the weekend, with the Sunshine Girls officially naming their 12-player squad for the three-test series. Headlining the omissions are star goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler and elite goal keeper Shamera Sterling, with Netball Jamaica saying the pair was “unavoidably absent due to in-person University requirements”.
In the absence of Fowler in the shooting circle and captaincy, Collingwood Magpies Super Netball talent Shimona Nelson will take over the leadership of the side and headline the front third. Up the other end, fellow Super Netball experienced Adelaide Thunderbirds defender, Latanya Wilson will be the vice-captain for Connie Francis‘ side in the test series.
The omissions for Jamaica do not stop at the Sunshine Girls two star players, with impressive midcourter Nicole Dixon, Collingwood Magpies defender Jodi-Ann Ward and experienced shooter Shanice Beckford also absent from the lineup. It leaves the Sunshine Girls as very exposed compared to their recent international series, with just three players representing the nation from the 2022 Commonwealth Games just over a month ago: Nelson, Wilson and midcourter Adean Thomas.
Nelson will be supported by returning Sunshine Girl shooters Gezelle Allison and Amanda Pinkney, with midcourter Tafiya Hunter and defender Abbeygail Linton also stepping back into the yellow and black dress. The lack of experienced players at senior international level has opened the door for five potential debutants, including three Under 23 representatives who tasted Gold Medal success at the recent CANOC Games.
A pair of promising defenders in Theresa Beckford and Kimone Shaw, as well as midcourter Abigale Sutherland all pulled on the Sunshine Girls dress in that Under 23s tournament, and will now step up to senior level against well-seasoned opponents. The other two potential debutants are shooter Mischa Creary and midcourter Quannia Walker. Annett Daley will be assistant to Francis as the Jamaicans hope to cause an upset in the three-test series starting this weekend.
The battle for the Taini Jamison Trophy begins in a double-header weekend at the Globox Arena in Hamilton on September 17-18. Going in as heavy underdogs, the Jamaicans are still guaranteed the third test even if they do go down, facing off against the Silver Ferns in a potentially test-deciding third match in Auckland at Eventfinda Stadium on Wednesday, September 21.
JAMAICA 2022 TAINI JAMISON TROPHY SQUAD:
Gezelle Alison
Theresa Beckford
Mischa Creary
Tafiya Hunter
Abbeygail Linton
Simona Nelson (c)
Amanda Pinkney
Kimone Shaw
Abigale Sutherland
Adean Thomas
Quannia Walker
Latanya Wilson (vc)
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