New Zealand and England have both safely completed their passages to Saturday’s semi-final meeting at the World Netball Cup, the English with a 62-46 defeat of a competitive South Africa, and the Silver Ferns with a dominant 76-33 win over Uganda in Maria Tutaia’s 100th Test.
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The win guarantees the defending World Champions a top two finish in their Pool, and punches their ticket into the World Cup semi-finals, and a likely clash against the World Number 4 ranked Jamaica.
While Barbados had to deal with experienced campaigners Kopua and Katrina Grant in defence, goal shooter Shannon Wharton – one of the youngest in this year’s competition at 19 years – was impressive in her debut game.
The Australian Diamonds have suffered a shock loss in the World Cup of Netball in Sydney on Sunday.
England downed Jamaica 54-50 in pool play, and should have little difficulty in beating South Africa on Friday to secure their semi-final spot.
New Zealand began well and led 30-24 at the break before Malawi began to find their feet in the match, cutting the deficit to three by the end of the third quarter. She was voted the best netballer in the world in 2014 and will feature in her fourth championship and is one of six players aged over 30.
“We started strongly competing with Australia goal for goal for the first 10 minutes of the first quarter”, said Trish Wilcox, Welsh Netball’s head of elite performance.
New Zealand ought to have been up miles at halftime and maybe even have had the game put to bed.
Silver Ferns assistant coach Vicki Wilson says the meticulous preparation that has got them this far won’t change.
“Sport England’s phenomenally successful This Girl Can campaign combined with the Back To Netball push to get adults playing the game has created a real momentum in women’s sport”, says the Telegraph.
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Alexander went back to basics with her team, who she said were collectively kicking themselves as they revisited the errors committed during a marked 60-minute departure from their trademark defensive pressure. “She’s only had us a short amount of time but I can see the difference in terms of the mindset and fitness, where we are going and what we want to do”.
