Credit: Shaun Roy/Gallo Images/Netball World Cup 2023
The Vitality Roses are in a Netball World Cup final for the very first time! After defeating the defending champions the New Zealand Silver Ferns yesterday in a dramatic semi-final, Jess Thirlby’s side take on the world number ones the Australian Diamonds, in a re-match of their tightly contested pool game earlier in the tournament.
Watch all the action live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer from 4.45pm and Sky Max and Sky Sports Arena from 4.30pm.
Keep up with all the build-up to today’s game, along with updates from the game and post-match reaction, here on our live blog.
8:20pm
If you’ve been inspired by the fantastic netball and the history-making achievements of the Vitality Roses this world cup, then don’t hesitate to get involved and find your nearest netball session today: Play Netball
8:09pm
England will take on South Africa in a three-match Vitality international test series on home soil this December. If you’ve loved watching the Roses this World Cup, make sure to get your tickets today: Tickets – Vitality Roses v South Africa
An early bird offer of £5 off adult tickets, excluding hospitality, is available now!
7:55pm
Huge congratulations to Helen Housby!
Best Shooter AND Player of the Tournament 🎖️
Congratulations, @Helenhousby1! 🌹#NWC2023 pic.twitter.com/CowTTFCa6w
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 6, 2023
7:45pm
The medal ceremony is underway! 👏
Watch live on @SkySports Arena and @BBCiPlayer to see the Vitality Roses receive their historic silver medal 🥈#NWC2023 l @NetballWorldCup pic.twitter.com/w51IY53dAJ
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 6, 2023
7:41pm
Head Coach Jess Thirlby’s thoughts on today’s performance and result:
“I am incredibly proud, despite the final result. We absolutely deserved to be there. We had to battle to get there and it’s just proven to us that you’ve got to be able to go again in a big game against the number one and we just fell short today.
“We’re obviously going to be gutted with a losing margin like that in our first final but such as the difference between a team that has been in 12 of them and a team that have just broken into their first one. It’s a tough lesson of course, but over the next three days, I’m sure it will sink in, in terms of that history that we’ve made.”
Eleanor Cardwell added: “There are so many positives. This is my first World Cup and for a lot more of the girls it’s their first World Cup and it’s everyone’s first World Cup final.
“Last year at the Commonwealth Games we came fourth and it was heartbreaking. Now, it’s heartbreaking that we haven’t won gold but we’ve got silver and we can be really happy with ourselves and what we’ve done over the past 10 days.”
"We just weren't quite smart enough against a seasoned finalist team" – Jess Thirlby 🌹
England Roses head coach reflects on her sides performance in the final 🏆 pic.twitter.com/xEV7JezwKP
— Sky Sports Netball (@SkyNetball) August 6, 2023
7:35pm
Please do head over to BBC iPlayer and Sky Sports Arena to watch the medal ceremony as England receive their historic silver medal.
For the first time in @NetballWorldCup history 🥈
🌹 The Vitality Roses left it all out on the court today and have inspired so many on their incredible journey, making history this #NWC2023.
We are so proud of our Roses 🫶 pic.twitter.com/2ZnOdxRHob
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 6, 2023
6:40pm
Congratulations to the Australian Diamonds, who claim the gold medal as the final whistle blows.
Your 2023 Netball World Cup winners – Australia 🏆
The @AussieDiamonds took the victory 61-45 over @EnglandNetball
Australia are world champions! #NetballWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/ARHBO7glrZ
— Sky Sports Netball (@SkyNetball) August 6, 2023
6:30pm
Cardwell finishes the shot off as England and Australia continue to battle it out with less than five minutes remaining.
England 43 – 54 Australia
6:25pm
Kelly knows…
You can’t have a england game without a running intercept by Imogen Allison #NWC2023 #ENGvAUS
— kelly walker (@kelly_walker) August 6, 2023
England 40 – 50 Australia
6:22pm
Geva Mentor and Funmi Fadoju are looking to dial up the pressure in the defensive circle, with hands up from all the Roses down the court to try and take as much ball as possible from the Diamonds.
England 39 – 50 Australia
6:13pm
Chelsea Pitman comes on at WA, replacing Nat Metcalf. Hoping to offer short, sharp drives and a fresh pair of legs to inject new energy into the Roses’ attack.
England 34 – 43 Australia
6:09pm
This third quarter is well and truly nail-biting, with England looking to respond and chip away at Australia’s seven goal lead as quickly as possible.
England 32 – 39 Australia
5:48pm
Cardwell adds a goal to the scoreboard in the closing seconds of the second quarter. At half time, the Diamonds are leading by four goals and the Roses will be looking to regroup, reset and turn that lead around in the second half.
England 23 – 27 Australia
Advantage Australia at the break.#NWC2023 | @NetballWorldCup pic.twitter.com/bbhOiq9Bm3
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 6, 2023
5:43pm
With just over two minutes left of the second quarter, the goals are flowing and both teams are working every ball as hard as they can. Jade Clarke comes on at Centre to give the Australian mid-court a new challenge to think about.
England 22 – 24 Australia
5:40pm
We’re loving this from Barry! Fran Williams has picked up another turnover for England, the Roses are bringing it down to court and looking for the shooters to make it count.
England 18 – 20 Australia
Never watched a netball game in my life but absolutely transfixed by this match cmon England !!
#bbcnetball #NetballWorldCup #NetballWorldCup2023 @EnglandNetball
— Barry McWilliams (@baz48) August 6, 2023
5:35pm
The second quarter is getting underway, and it’s goal for goal. The crowd are roaring and the tensions is palpable. We couldn’t agree more Sam!
May have to stay at the gym a little longer to watch the netball final! C’mon 🌹 Roses!! #BBCnetball
— Sam Dewis (@sam_dewis) August 6, 2023
England 17 – 18 Australia
5:29pm
The Grand Final couldn’t get any tighter, with England and Australia level at quarter time. Game on!
England 13 – 13 Australia
5:25pm
The Vitality Roses bring the score back level, with 45 seconds to go of the first quarter.
England 12 – 12 Australia
"LET'S GO!" 🗣️
Eleanor Cardwell is fired up for this final 🔥#NWC2023 | @EnglandNetball pic.twitter.com/HRaLaXjwet
— World Netball (@WorldNetball_) August 6, 2023
5:23pm
Massive goal for Cardwell as England chip away at Australia’s lead with 3 minutes to go in the first quarter.
England 10 – 11 Australia
5:20pm
Huge defensive pressure from England as Geva Mentor gets the contact call and takes the penalty pass. Can the Vitality Roses convert…
England 7 – 10 Australia
5:13pm
We’re off! Fast passages of play from both team, an electric atmosphere and excellent shooting from both circles to kick off.
England 4 – 5 Australia
5:03pm
The Vitality Roses have made their way onto court!
In the house 🏡
A roar goes up from the Cape Town crowd as the Vitality Roses run out 🗣️#NWC2023 | @NetballWorldCup pic.twitter.com/DFQBSxgAjH
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 6, 2023
4:55pm
Couldn’t have said it better ourselves… away we go!
Here we go! 👊
England 🏴 face 11-times World Champions Australia 🇦🇺 in the Netball World Cup Final.
This is going to be huge.
📲 Follow live on @BBCTwo, @BBCiPlayer, @BBCSounds and the BBC Sport website and app.#BBCNetball #NWC2023
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 6, 2023
4:45pm
Hear from Head Coach Jess Thirlby ahead of the Grand Final as coverage starts now!
👥 The squad of 15
🤝 The Performance team
🏴 The fans
Hear from Vitality Roses Head Coach @JessThirlby ahead of the final 🎙️#NWC2023 | @NetballWorldCup pic.twitter.com/AzoqrFqVHj
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 6, 2023
4:37pm
As the final whistle blows, Jamaica claim the bronze medal in the Netball World Cup, claiming victory over New Zealand 52 – 45.
Stay tuned as England are due to take to the court shortly for the Grand Final against Australia.
4:30pm
The Vitality Roses starting seven is announced. Just fifteen minutes to go until coverage starts! Keep up with all the action live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, Sky Max and Sky Sports Arena.
📢 Your @NetballWorldCup final starting seven!@JessThirlby names an unchanged Vitality Roses side once again ✅#NWC2023 pic.twitter.com/KB1y6JCTl1
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 6, 2023
4:20pm
The countdown is on as the Vitality Roses prepare for their first ever Netball World Cup final, taking on the Australian Diamonds. The bronze medal match is currently in the final quarter, with Jamaica leading 39 – 33 against current World Champions New Zealand.
Ready to do battle once again.#NWC2023 | @NetballWorldCup pic.twitter.com/5DLNnvz9NJ
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 6, 2023
4:00pm
Just 45 minutes until coverage starts on BBC Two, you can also watch live on BBC iPlayer, Sky Max and Sky Sports Arena.
3:40pm
The good luck messages are flowing in for the Vitality Roses.
An incredible run so far from @EnglandNetball. Best of luck to the Roses for their first World Cup final today. https://t.co/5yjQhngFEm
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) August 6, 2023
3:30pm
Representing all parts of the country.
3:15pm
The Bronze Medal Match between Jamaica and New Zealand is underway!
2:45pm
What an afternoon we have in store! You can watch all the action live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, Sky Max and Sky Sports Arena!
2.30pm
Thank you to the Red Roses!
2:00pm
Just three days ago we met the Australian Diamonds and recorded our first-ever with against the Commonwealth Games champions at a World Cup. No team has defeated Australia twice in the same tournament.
Eleanor Cardwell against Courtney Bruce and Sarah Klau – Credit: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Netball World Cup 2023
1:30pm
Well, here we are! The Netball World Cup final. The Vitality Roses are just one game away from doing what no other England side has done before!
Keep up to date with what’s happening inside the England camp by following us on our socials @EnglandNetball.
