THE long-awaited Vitality Roses Reunited series has finally arrived, with a huge three test series between the England Roses and Jamaican Sunshine Girls set to unfold over the next week. With the first test playing out this weekend in London and the second third following up in a week’s time in Nottingham, expect plenty of exciting action as the two nations ramp up preparations for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games on England’s home soil. This series will also be the first time since January 2020 that England fans can see the Roses play in person, with a full strength squad in tow against the Sunshine Girls, who beat them last time they met.

Extended squads:

Looking at the ins for England first, and they have not gone easy with preferred goaling duo Helen Housby and Jo Harten and feeding extraordinaire Natalie Haythornthwaite all set to participate. While Geva Mentor will not be in action, the defence end looks highly dynamic with Layla Guscoth likely to pair up with Eboni Usoro-Brown, and young gun Funmi Fadoju will hope to earn her debut. Fadoju is not the only future star hoping to get a run, with the likes of George Fisher, Imogen Allison and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis making a case for themselves in the recent Taini Jamison Trophy series win over the New Zealand Silver Ferns. Factor in the star power of captain Serena Guthrie and depth across the entire court, and the Roses have not taken any chances against Jamaica.

Despite missing a couple of players due to unavailability or injury, Jamaica is certainly no slouch heading into the series. Captain Jhaniele Fowler is the one to stop at the post with her strength on the hold and will look to exploit England’s smaller bodied defensive unit in this series. The highly experienced Shanice Beckford can impact from long range and will look to do so, however the issue for the Sunshine Girls could be in their relatively inexperienced midcourt. With Nicole Dixon and Jodi-Ann Ward not participating, it will be up to Adean Thomas and Khadijah Williams to lead the centre court. The defensive end is where Jamaica should shine, with Shamera Sterling, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Latanya Wilson and Malysha Kelly all named and not the type to shy away from the action.

From the coaches:

“This is going to be an exciting series for the Vitality Roses and our fans, and is an important part of our preparation for next year’s Commonwealth Games. We’ve missed getting out there in front of a home crowd and this will be an incredible opportunity to play a top team whilst reuniting both the Roses players and our supporters.” – Jess Thirlby, England Roses head coach.

“COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on the international calendar, but the three days of high-intensity, top-quality netball action will allow us to work on some areas of concern identified in the Sunshine Series. We are not quite where we want be, but the team is very balanced, despite missing a few key players who are, unfortunately, unavailable.” – Connie Francis, Jamaica Sunshine Girls head coach.

Details:

England vs. Jamaica
Sunday, November 28 @4pm
Copper Box Arena, London

England vs. Jamaica
Saturday, December 4 @4pm
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham

England vs. Jamaica
Sunday, December 5 @4pm
Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham