Jamaica minus several big names for threetest series against Silver Ferns Sunshine Girls
The squad
WELLINGTON: The Jamaican side named to meet the Silver Ferns in a threetest series starting this Saturday will be missing several of its stars.
Just four days out from the first test, Jamaica has finally named its team of 12 who will be travelling to New Zealand, and it is almost unrecognisable from the side that won silver at the Commonwealth Games.
Shimona Nelson (captain), Latanya Wilson, Adean Thomas, Gezelle Allison, Amanda Pinkney, Tafiya Hunter, Abbeygail Linton, Abigale Sutherland, Theresa Beckford, Kimone Shaw, Quannia Walker, Mischa Creary.
Only three players who were in Birmingham have been named, and their most influential players, Jhaniele
Fowler and Shamera Sterling, are not available due to ‘‘inperson university requirements’’.
Goal shoot Fowler scored 54 goals at 100% in the 6751 semifinal win over the Silver Ferns in Birmingham, while Sterling was a constant menace in defence.
The visitors will also be without experienced defenders KadieAnn Dehaney and JodiAnn Ward for the series, and wily attack
Shanice Beckford is also missing.
Shimona Nelson will captain the side for the Taini Jamison Trophy and will fill the shoes of Fowler at goal shoot.
Defender Latanya Wilson goal and midcourter Adean Thomas are the other two players from Birmingham, where Jamaica made its first final.
Five potential debutantes have been named.
In naming the team, Netball Jamaica said some other players were ‘‘nursing injuries sustained or aggravated at the recent commonwealth games and have not yet been cleared to resume playing’’.
After its historymaking at the Commonwealth Games, Jamaica moved up to third in the world rankings, just behind New Zealand, which came away with a bronze.
A series win in New Zealand might have pushed it past the Silver Ferns but that looks unlikely now.
The Silver Ferns will be disappointed they will not be tested against Jamaica’s best as they build towards next year’s World Cup.
The side is coached by Connie Francis, who will be assisted by Annett Daley for this series.
Specialist defensive coach Rob Wright, who is also the Northern Mystics assistant coach, will not be travelling to New Zealand.
The first two tests are being played this Saturday and Sunday in Hamilton before the final test in Auckland next Wednesday. — RNZ