The Vitality Roses are set for their biggest test of the Netball World Cup so far as they take on the world number one side Australia, live at 8am (UK time) on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena.
We’ll be bringing you all the build up to our final pool game here on our live blog before providing you with updates from the game and post-match reaction.
You can watch all of today’s games live on the BBC iPlayer and on Sky Sports Arena and Action.
12:05
Feeling the love from the Lionesses.
Love it girls 👏🏼🔥 https://t.co/xn2otA7qZj
— Beth Mead MBE (@bmeado9) August 3, 2023
Don’t sleep on us 🤩 https://t.co/QMFM66IppV
— Leah Williamson (@leahcwilliamson) August 3, 2023
11:15
Continuing our pledge to support teenage players from the Vitality Roses’ first clubs.
431 goals scored so far means 431 sports bras have now been pledged to teenage players at the Vitality Roses' first clubs with NETBALLHer and @Nike’s #BrasForHer initiative 🏐 ✨
Learn more about the importance of a well-fitting sports bra at NETBALLHer 👇
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 3, 2023
10:25
100% from Hammy!
Helen Housby, take a bow 💥
100% shooting accuracy and brilliant movement in the circle to help England to their first win over Australia since 2019.
It's another @NetballWorldCup Player of the Match accolade for Vitality Rose @Helenhousby1 🏅 pic.twitter.com/vcSQ6QkYmQ
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 3, 2023
10:15
Anyone else still catching their breath after that?
Look what it means to England! 😍
A historic first win over the Australian Diamonds at a Netball World Cup 🏆#NWC2023 #BBCNetball pic.twitter.com/pZPxnZHPKf
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 3, 2023
9:55
History made at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town.
What. A. Game.
Our first ever victory over Australia at a World Cup 💥#NWC2023 l @NetballWorldCup pic.twitter.com/D3imYOei90
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 3, 2023
9:35
Jo Weston makes a critical intercept on the side to deny Pitman as the Diamonds get back to 54-54 with a minute and a half to go. Both sides go goal-for-goal but as the Diamonds try to level the score in the final seconds, Fran Williams put the Australian attack under pressure on the backline forcing them to lose possession. England claim their first win over Australia at a Netball World Cup and will play in the first semi-final on Saturday morning at 10am (UK time).
Australia 55-56 England
9.30
Jamie-Lee Price receives a caution after catching Jade Clarke late on the transverse line. The Vitality Roses get an opportunity to extend their lead as Australia spray the ball out of play.
Australia 51-53 England
9:25
England re-take the lead for the first time since quarter two as Housby puts pressure on Diamonds’ first centre pass after the restart. A few minutes later, Fran Williams makes her first intercept of the game as she palms the ball wide from the circle edge before getting it back into the middle to Pitman.
Australia 48-50 England
9:15
The Vitality Roses are now in the ascendency. Jamie-Lee Price makes two unforced errors in the attacking third as England edge back to just one behind. Chelsea Pitman comes on for Metcalf at wing attack and makes an immediate introduction producing a superb long feed to Cardwell under the post. Liz Watson receives a caution for persistent breaking as the two sides head into the final quarter with just one goal separating them.
Australia 45-44 England
9:10
Cardwell produces two brilliant long shots but Australia are moving the ball quickly in response putting England back on their centre pass straight away. Despite the pressure, Housby and Cardwell produces a moment of flair moving the ball quickly between each other before converting under the post. This inspires the England defence who make a crucial turnover forcing Hadley back who loses the ball to Housby.
Australia 42-37 England
9:05
Head Coach Jess Thirlby has made a few changes at the break. Fran Williams is on at goal keeper, Fadoju is back on goal defence and Jade Clarke comes on at centre as Allison moves back to wing defence. England are being frustrated by the Diamonds’ organisation in defence as they try and force the ball long.
Australia 37-30 England
8:45
Bruce is back on for Weston at goal defence. Klau, who has been impressive since coming on, drives out from the back to deny Cardwell on the edge of the circle. Steph Wood is working well as the connecting link as the Diamonds stretch their lead to six just before the break.
Australia 32-26 England
8:40
Klau comes out for the flying intercept to deny Metcalf before getting in front of Cardwell to get a turnover. Olivia Tchine comes for Housby who is asked to leave the court due to blood on her knee. Australia take the lead for the first time in the game as Fadoju returns to court in place of Malcolm whilst Guscoth moves to wing defence. Cardwell gets the crowd on their feet with a terrific long shot from just inside the side of the circle. Housby also returns in place Tchine and gets an immediate goal.
Australia 24-23 England
8:35
Guscoth returns for Fadoju as Cardwell lands the first goal on the second quarter before Koenen misses her first shot of the game. Metcalf tries to find Cardwell in the backspace but Klau’s pressure denies her from getting on the ball. England edge forward but the Diamonds defensive pressure forces Housby to get penalised for held ball. Australia back on level terms.
Australia 18-18 England
8:25
Funmi Fadoju comes on for Layla Guscoth at goal defence meanwhile Sarah Klau comes on for Courtney Bruce at goal keeper. Allison tries to quickly find Cardwell in the backspace but her passes goes out behind the backline. Australia are unable to capitalise as Cara Koenen steps out of play. Just a minute before time, Fadoju, making her 20th appearance for the Vitality Roses, makes an intercept to stop the Diamonds from getting back on the centre pass.
Australia 13-15 England
8:20
England lose the ball in attack but Laura Malcom makes the intercept in the middle third to put the Vitality Roses back on the attack. England’s high press is restricting Australia’s speed through the court. Nat Metcalf receives the ball wide and swings the ball over to Allison on the other side of the circle who feed Housby under the post. Imogen Allison shows great anticipation to get up in front of Liz Watson and take her first intercept of the game. Malcolm sends a long feed up to Cardwell who eventually gets the ball to Housby who props up the shot. England now up by five.
Australia 7-12 England
8:15
It’s a tense start here at the CTICC. Both teams needing to be patient to get the ball to the goal. Eleanor Cardwell does well to keep the ball in on the sidelines before getting it back under the post. Liz Watson is caught offside as Laura Malcolm shepherds the wing attack to the circle edge who catches her foot on the line. England take advantage of the first turnover of the game.
Australia 4-6 England
8:10
Imogen Allison gets us underway. Let’s go, Roses!
8:05
We’re just moments away from the first centre pass.
8:00
Head over to BBC Two or Sky Sports Main Event now to catch build-up to the game. First centre pass to come at 8am.
7:45
Can the Vitality Roses claim a first win over Australia at the Netball World Cup?
Getting closer to first centre pass ⏱️#NWC2023 | @NetballWorldCup pic.twitter.com/7ThA7Lr6SZ
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 3, 2023
7:35
And here are the Diamonds.
This one is big. pic.twitter.com/RpH7o6SIA9
— Origin Australian Diamonds (@AussieDiamonds) August 3, 2023
7:25
Here’s how we line up for our final pool match.
📰 Team news is in!
Here's your starting seven to face Australia 🏴🆚🇦🇺#NWC2023 | @NetballWorldCup pic.twitter.com/iEt2JMzkQ0
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 3, 2023
7:00
Vitality Roses Netball World Cup Squad – Class of 2023
6:45
Get ready for this morning’s match with our game preview and see which players to look out for.
The Pool F decider: England vs. Australia. ⚔️
🖥️ Watch live on @BBCTwo, @SkySports Main Event and Arena at 8am (UK time)!#NWC2023 | @NetballWorldCup
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 3, 2023
6:30
Yesterday, in one of the games of the tournament, the hosts South Africa pulled off a late comeback to snatch a point in the final seconds against the world champions New Zealand.
WHAT HAVE WE JUST WITNESSED?!@Netball_SA DRAW 48-48 with the @SilverFernsNZ in an epic encounter with the last play of the game 🤯🤯#NWC2023 | #PutYourHandsUp pic.twitter.com/dyAcFJOyr2
— World Netball (@WorldNetball_) August 2, 2023
6:15
Here’s our results so far at the Netball World Cup.
Preliminary Stage One
- England 90-29 Barbados
- England 62-39 Malawi
- England 62-37 Scotland
Preliminary Stage Two
- England 72-46 Tonga
- England 89-28 Fiji
6:00
Good morning! Who wants netball for breakfast? In a couple of hours the Vitality Roses will take on Australia in their final pool game, live on the BBC and Sky Sports.
Here are the other games taking place today.
Day seven
- Australia vs. England (8am)
- Wales vs. Trinidad & Tobago (8am)
- Jamaica vs. New Zealand (10am)
- Fiji vs. Scotland (10am)
- South Africa vs. Uganda (3pm)
- Tonga vs. Malawi (5pm)
Keep up to date with what’s happening inside the England camp by following us on our socials @EnglandNetball.