Jess Thirlby’s Roses mix youth and experience for three-Test series that will be a litmus test for Commonwealth Games
After a historic series win against New Zealand in Christchurch in September the latest challenge for England on the way to their Commonwealth title defence next summer is three Tests against Jamaica on home soil, beginning on Sunday at London’s Copper Box Arena. If expectations were already high for the Roses after defeating the world champions in their back yard two months ago, the first time England have won a series in New Zealand, then the squad named by the head coach, Jess Thirlby, has only raised them even more.
With Jo Harten, Stacey Francis-Bayman, Natalie Haythornthwaite and Helen Housby all home from Australia’s Super Netball League and in the fold, the England team that will take to the court will be their strongest since they won bronze at the 2019 World Cup in Liverpool. It may also explain the confident talk in the England camp and why they are targeting nothing less than a clean sweep. “We want to get 3-0 on home soil,” says Sonia Mkoloma, England’s assistant coach and a former international.
