Pamela Cookey - FILE
lomdon, england, cmc
ENGLAND'S NETBALL SELECTORS have named a predictable 12-member squad to tour Jamaica next month in a key preparation assignment for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
All the players named were part of the successful touring squad to South Africa last month and coach Marg Caldow anticipates the customary competitive battle between her world fourth-ranked side and the Jamaicans, rated one place higher on the world list.
IDEAL PREPARATION
"This is the ideal preparation for us and we are expecting an exciting closely-contested series that will bring out the best in both teams," Caldow said.
The Commonwealth Games in Melbourne is three months away with a mid-March start date and the English girls are peaking, as shown by a very efficient 3-0 series whitewash on tour against world fifth-ranked South Africa last month.
"We were pleased with our overall performances in the three Test matches against South Africa and it was very satisfying to come home with a 3-0 victory," Caldow said.
England will be looking to take a psychological advantage over close rivals Jamaica in what will be the final meetings between the two countries prior to the Commonwealth Games.
The teams will meet in three test matches in Kingston, January 19, 20 and 22 and the Jamaicans will be hoping to rebound from losses last month at home to current world champions New Zealand and world number two Australia.
NO DOUBT
"I have no doubt that the Jamaicans will want to perform well against England after what they would have seen as disappointing form against the Australian and New Zealand squads in their matches in November," Caldow said. "They (the Jamaicans) tried various combinations in those Test matches and I am confident that they will put out their best team against England in January for our forthcoming Test series," the England coach added.
In the last meeting between the two teams, England held Jamaica's touring 'Sunshine Girls' to a 1-1 tie in a three-match series in June.
Jamaica had won the first Test 48-47, the second was a 44-44 tie, and England clinched a share of the honours by winning the last game 58-47.
At the March 15-26 Common-wealth Games in Australia, England will play in Group B with South Africa, New Zealand, St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), Malawi, and Fiji.
Group A will have reigning gold medallists Australia, facing Jamaica, Barbados, Samoa, Wales and Singapore.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Olivia Murphy (captain), Karen Atkinson, Ama Agbeze, Jade Clarke, Rachel Dunn, Pamela Cookey, Geva Mentor, Chioma Ezeogu, Sonia Mkoloma, Abby Teare, Naomi Stenhouse, Amanda Newton.
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