Jess Thirlby has warned her players in England that they are teams that everyone wants to beat in the Netball Nation Cup, Live on HeavenlyAnd they ‘have to work too hard’ to secure the trophy.
England launches the Cup of the Nations Cup of their nations against the world No. 7 Malawi team on Saturday 1 February, Live in Sky SportsThe tournament also includes South Africa and Uganda.
Vitality Roses impressed last year, beating the No. 1 Australian world for the third time in September, but – with each party closely positioned in the world rankings – winning the Cup of Nations will not be an easy ease.
England coach Thirlby has highlighted the obstacles her team will face, including being without the leading players of damaged Helen Housby, Eleanor Cardwell, NAT Metcalf and Lois Pearson.
“We are the team they want to beat in order to get some ranking points and go up, so they will be hot on our heels, I have no doubt about it,” said Thirlby who has called Emma Thacker from England A to replace Pearson. “We will have to work too hard to catch it in line.
“At the moment it is so important for us to stay, however clicked, in the process and to help prepare the team for three very different challenges.
“We are looking for consistency and this gives us a good opportunity to consolidate the difference between ranking in that four and below.
“We really want to strive and seal our authority for this and create a great gap among those nations that are under us and where we see ourselves we need to run.”
England fought hard in Australia, eventually suffering a 2-1 series loss after a decisive 69-56 loss, with Thirlby taking very positive from its team’s shows against the world’s elite team.
“We’ve bought with us now a generation of Roses players and it’s invaluable for them to be able to look at themselves in the mirror and they know they have done it (competed against the best in the world),” Thirlby added.
“It has a wild effect and we have more players on the program and in the squad now that they have seen Roses squad beat nations on them more often, so they will not come with any hanging of being third or fourth place team repeatedly.
“They have begun to realize that it is possible. It’s done. I want some of that.”
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Highlights from the final test between New Zealand and Roses Vitality, where Roses lost but still won the 2-1 test series
Who is playing for England in the NatBall Vitality Nations Cup?
Cardwell (due to return from damage), Metcalf (due to pregnancy) and Houseby (due to club commitments) were not available for selection. Thacker rose from England a pair on January 24, after a Lois Pearson injury.
Helen Housby will not display for England in the NatBall Vitality Nations Cup
England team (correct since January 28): Halimat Adio, Imogen Allison, Amy Carter, Beeth Carter, Zara Everrit, Funmi Fadoju, Berri Neil, Razia Quashie, Ellie Rattu, Paige Reed, Ali Scholes, Jess Shaw, Liv Tchine , Emma Emma Thacker, Francesca Williams.
Vitality Netball Cup nations – live further Heavenly
All times are GMT
Saturday 1 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
South Africa vs Uganda (3 afternoon)
England VS Malawi (5 afternoon)
Sunday 2 February
Malawi vs uganda (02:00)
England VS South Africa (4 in the afternoon)
Saturday 8 – Copper Box Arena, London
Malawi vs South Africa (3 in the afternoon)
England vs uganda (5 in the afternoon)
Sunday 9 February
Play-off in third place (1.30 am in the afternoon)
Final (4 in the afternoon)
Who will win the Netball Vitality Nations Cup? Look directly this February Live on Sky Sports. I don’t have heaven? Get Sky Sports or Broadcasting Without Contract Now.
