The Silver Ferns are set to gain 165 Test caps with
defenders Jane Watson and Karin Burger, and midcourters Gina
Crampton and Claire Kersten named in the team for next
month’s Netball Quad Series in South Africa.
In what
will be another opportunity for the Silver Ferns to get a
look at some of the key contenders for next year’s Netball
World Cup, the side welcomes back Watson (maternity leave),
Burger (injury), Crampton (sabbatical) and Kersten who last
played at this year’s Netball Quad Series in
January.
The Silver Ferns head to Cape Town to take on
Australia, England, and host side South Africa from 22-26
January, in a dress rehearsal for July’s Netball World Cup
at the same venue.
Wing attack Peta Toeava has also
secured her spot in the side after making an impact during
October’s Constellation Cup while the shooting circle
remains unchanged, led by captain Ameliaranne
Ekenasio.
Coach Dame Noeline Taurua said she was
delighted to welcome back the experienced heads, with
Watson, Burger, and Crampton all Netball World Cup winners
in 2019, and was excited to see what they would bring to the
Silver Ferns mix after some time away.
“The Quad
Series is a stage of our planning as we build-up to the 2023
Netball World Cup. We cannot underestimate the amount of
netball nous and leadership that returns to the court with
these players,” Taurua said.
“It is a significant
year ahead with the World Cup in South Africa, so that
big-game experience becomes crucial, and I can see the work
they have done behind the scenes has supported their desire
to be back in the Silver Ferns environment. They haven’t
relied on the past, they earned their
selection.”
“Karin has returned from a foot injury
and has made great progress. She really adds that extra
height to the midcourt and can cover either position in the
defensive circle, so she brings plenty of versatility to
that end of the court.”
It will be an opportunity
for Burger to resume a defensive pairing with Watson – the
duo last playing together for the Tactix in
2021.
Watson’s inclusion comes after welcoming
daughter Tia this year and the first-time mother has been on
a detailed return-to-play plan since then. She last played
for the Silver Ferns in March, 2021 when the side beat
Australia to win the Constellation Cup.
“We are very
mindful that Jane has only just returned to the netball
court since becoming a mum and our team of medical and
fitness experts are working closely with her. But her return
brings 52 Test caps and some world class
experience.”
The team heading to the Netball Quad
Series also includes Crampton who missed this year’s
Cadbury Netball Series in July and the season-ending
Constellation Cup against Australia after taking a
sabbatical in what had been a busy build-up to the
Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
“We’re really
excited to have Gina back with us after what was a
well-deserved rest. She had a large workload leading into
the Commonwealth Games and I know she is refreshed and
rearing to go.”
The Silver Ferns depart on 15
January for the Netball Quad Series in Cape Town in what
will be the third time South Africa has hosted the Netball
Quad Series.
Silver Ferns
Team
Karin Burger
Gina
Crampton
Ameliaranne Ekenasio (captain)
Sulu
Fitzpatrick
Kate Heffernan
Kelly Jury
Phoenix
Karaka
Claire Kersten
Grace Nweke
Te Paea
Selby-Rickit
Whitney Souness
Peta Toeava
Jane
Watson
Maia Wilson
2023 Netball Quad
Series
All in NZ
Time
Sunday 22 January
3.00am – Silver
Ferns v South Africa
Monday 23 January
5.00am –
Silver Ferns v Australia
Wednesday 25
January
3.00am – Silver Ferns v England
Thursday 26
January
3.00am – 3rd v 4th playoff
5.00am –
Final
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