Game three and the Vitality Roses take on Home Nation rivals’ Scotland in the final game of Preliminary Stage One live on Sky Sports.
After the first two games, England have two wins from two, including a hard-fought victory over the Malawi Queens yesterday. Scotland meanwhile bounced back from a narrow defeat to Malawi to pick up their first points of the competition against Barbados.
The Scottish Thistles currently sit 10th in the world rankings, just seven places below England. With the majority of the Thistles playing in the Netball Super League (NSL) for Strathclyde Sirens, the strong connections already built are set to shine through on the world stage.
The Vitality Roses last met the Thistles back at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, where England took the win, 70-34. Their previous encounter was at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia where the Vitality Roses cinched another victory, 74-28.
However, Tamsin Greenway’s squad are not set to go down without a fight.
Where we’re going going… Cape Town Baby #nwc2023 #NWCQEurope #RoadToCapeTown pic.twitter.com/5psacK5fOn
— Scottish Thistles (@ScotThistles) October 15, 2022
Ones to watch:
Scotland captain Claire Maxwell, now the most capped player in Scottish netball history, will come up against Jade Clarke, the most capped Vitality Roses player. For Maxwell this is her third World Cup, meanwhile for Clarke this is a world-record equalling sixth, alongside teammate Geva Mentor. Maxwell, who plays for Strathclyde Sirens, and Clarke, who represents London Pulse in the NSL, have been key components for their sides this season, particularly Clarke who helped her side to their highest-ever finish in the league.
From stalwarts of the game to two fresh faces and two players who have made their Netball World Cup debuts – Scotland’s Iona Christian and the Vitality Roses’ Imogen Allison. Whilst this is their first time donning their national colours on the world stage, the pair did represent their countries at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last summer. The pair are no strangers having met in the NSL on many an occasion and both will bring elements of speed and creativity to the midcourt.
Wow wow wow! I’m going to a World Cup. Honoured to be given the opportunity to represent @scottishthistles 🏴with this incredibly talented group of teammates! See you soon Cape Town! 🇿🇦 https://t.co/YjQobGjvzb
— Iona Christian (@Iona_Christian_) June 5, 2023
Where to watch:
Tune in to the Vitality Roses’ final match of Preliminary Stage One live on Sky Sports Arena, Mix and Sky Sports YouTube.
You can also listen to the action on BBC Radio 5Live (after the Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix) and follow live text commentary on the BBC Sport website.
Download our match schedule so you don’t miss a game and grab our watch-along wall planner so you can follow each team’s progress.
Keep up to date with what’s happening inside the England camp by following us on our socials @EnglandNetball.
