RORY: A COURSE THIS EASY CAN’T PREPARE US FOR OPEN
Skipper Guthrie reckons England can take the heat THE SCOTTISH OPEN AT THE RENAISSANCE CLUB
ENGLAND captain Serena Guthrie has hit back at claims the Roses will crumble at the Netball World Cup.
Tracey Neville’s side begin their campaign in Liverpool tonight against Uganda having never come close to winning the biggest prize in the sport.
But reigning champions Australia have already started the mind games with captain Caitlin Bassett (right) claiming the Commonwealth champs are unprepared for the pressure of winning a tournament on home soil.
Guthrie hit back, saying: “We are not trying to shy away from the pressure at all. Every team in the top five is under pressure for different reasons and it is about who handles the pressure best.
“Australia are coming into the tournament having lost in the Commonwealth Games and they are very aware of how much it matters to them to keep hold of their world title.
“We have the massive advantage of having done it once and knowing that coming into a home competition relaxes us, rather than making us feel more tense.
“Although we’ve made a group decision to park the Commonwealth Games, RORY McILROY claims the Scottish Open course is too easy to help him gear up for the Open next week.
The Northern Irishman wants to use this week to tune up for the biggest Major of his career at Royal Portrush in front of a massive swell of home support.
But the softened greens and easy pin positions yesterday at we can gain confidence from the fact we have already got over the line and we know what is required to do it again.”
Tonight’s game at the M&S Bank Arena looks set to be England’s toughest of the opening round.
The African side are sixth in the world and lost to England by four goals when the sides met in Liverpool last November.
The She Cranes, as Uganda are known, are ranked just one place below South Africa, who beat England 48-45 at London’s Copper Box Arena in January.
That result thwarted the Roses’ hopes of winning their first-ever Quad Series. Guthrie (above, with Uganda’s Peace Proscovia) added: “The bottom line is we have to perform.
“We know so many people will be watching us and it’s great because 10 years ago nobody could care less about the Netball World Cup.
“Things have changed massively since I first came into the squad and being part of a group that can potentially push the game and women’s sport forward even more makes it a very proud moment for us.”
England face Scotland tomorrow and conclude the group stage against Samoa on Sunday.
■ England v Uganda, Sky Sport’s Main Event, 7pm the Renaissance Club made it target golf for the pros, who took full advantage with more than 100 of the field shooting under par.
McIlroy’s four-under-par 67 was still four shots shy of the leaders, including Matt Kuchar and Edoardo Molinari.
Molinari is chasing one of the last three qualifying spots that would see him join his brother,
(captain) Supreme athlete Guthrie, who mostly plays centre, has a huge influence on the court. The 29-year-old Team Bath star will lead England from the front.
(vice-captain) Match-winning veteran Clarke is the squad’s most capped player at 161. The 35-year-old midcourter is on fire at West Midlands’ side Wasps after nine years Down Under.
Relentless defender Mentor is the world’s best and carries England’s hopes on her highly capable shoulders. The 34-year-old keeper plays in Australia and received a CBE in 2019 for her services to netball.
Heading for her 100th cap, the fastand-furious Harten is key to England’s firepower up front. The 30-year-old goal attack and goal shooter is a top scorer for the Giants in Sydney.
Usoro-Brown operates a near telepathic partnership with Mentor in the circle. The 31-year-old defender plays for Team Bath in the Superleague.
Unorthodox but game-changing, shooter Dunn, 36, has made more than 200 Superleague appearances and narrowly missed out on a record eighth title with Wasps in the 2019 final.
Cool-headed Housby, 24, famously sunk that lasp-gasp goal that won England the 2018 Commonwealth Games final. She plays for New South Wales Swifts in Sydney.
Powerhouse Haythornthwaite is a fierce wing attack for the Roses. After winning back-to-back Superleagues with Wasps, the 26-year-old was snapped up by New South Wales Swifts.
Versatile wing attack Pitman, 31, has a point to prove. Born in Sydney, she won 18 caps for Australia, and helped them lift the 2011 world title before switching to play for England.
Defender Guscoth loves to hunt down that ball. The 27-year-old spent seven years in the Superleague but now co-captains Adelaide Thunderbirds with team-mate Pitman.
Workhorse Panagarry works ceaselessly in midcourt. The 28-year-old has put in gruelling Superleague performances for Loughborough Lightning since 2015.
Defender Williams, 21, is looking to get her England caps into double figures. The squad’s youngest player is one of three Wasps’ players to get the England nod. defending champion Francesco, at Portrush.
But afterwards McIlroy (left) admitted the challenge they faced should have been much stiffer. He said: “I think they were pretty generous in terms of the course set-up because they have never been here before.
“The rain softened things up and any links course we come to without much wind is going to be ripped apart.
“You don’t want to get worn out but at the same time you want this to be a bit of a challenge.
“The greens have been slow all week. Definitely a lot slower than what we’re used to seeing week in, week out. They are just being a little careful in terms of the green speeds.”