The new-look Silver Ferns will take on England in their first international of 2020 without some of their biggest hitters on the court.
Captain Laura Langman is on sabbatical, as is key defender Katrina Rore, and neither will play in the inaugural Netball Nations Cup in the UK that starts on Sunday night, UK time. The Ferns will take on England, Jamaica and South Africa in the tournament; Australia’s Diamonds are not playing.
The team is also missing two other key circle players after the retirement of Maria Folau at the shooting end and Casey Korpua in defence, two of New Zealand’s most capped players.
The team’s new captain is Ameliaranne Ekenasio, who shone in the Silver Fern’s 2019 triumphant World Cup campaign. Her long bombs and partnership with Folau in the circle were a massive part of the team’s winning performance.
Proud to announce Ameliaranne Ekenasio has been named captain of the Silver Ferns, joined by vice captains Jane Watson and Gina Crampton in a new-look leadership group for the Vitality Netball Nations Cup which starts against England in Nottingham on Monday (NZT).
— Silver Ferns (@SilverFernsNZ) January 15, 2020
📷 @mbphotonz pic.twitter.com/qA80CePWdT
The team also has two new vice-captains: Gina Crampton in the midcourt and Jane Watson, who has been worth her weight in gold in the defensive circle.
All three new leaders have displayed outstanding skills in their domestic teams, but stepping into national roles will add another dimension.
The question for fans will be who will get the starting bibs, after a long period of a relatively steady starting seven.
Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Bailey Mes and Maia Wilson will vie for the shooting spot left open by Folau.
In defence Karin Burger, Michaela Sokolich-Beatson, Phoenix Karaka will all push for the GD bib alongside Watson in GK. The other midcourters in the squad of 12 are Shannon Saunders, Whitney Souness and Kimiora Poi.
The England Roses will have plenty to prove after their third place at the 2019 World Cup. But the side will be without some of its best players, with shooters Helen Housby and Jo Harten, goalkeeper Geva Mentor and midcourter Serena Guthrie, all opting to have some time out from netball.
The game against the Roses will take place in Nottingham, starting 6am New Zealand time on Monday morning.
