The Vitality Roses travel to Australia and New Zealand this month to take on two of the world’s top teams, with every Test match on their tour of the southern hemisphere live on Sky Sports and free via live YouTube stream.
Jess Thirlby has been named in a 15-man squad for the tour, which includes three Tests in Australia and a further three in New Zealand, with Fran Williams set to captain England, supported by Beth Cobden and Helen Housby.
England begin their three-match tour of Australia at the Adelaide Entertainment Center on Thursday (10am kick-off), before traveling to play at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney on Sunday (7am).
The final of the three-match series takes place on Wednesday 25 September at Bendigo Stadium (10am) in Victoria, before the Vitality Roses travel to New Zealand for the Taini Jamison Cup contest.
The series opener takes place at The Trusts Arena in Auckland on September 29 before the other matches at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua on October 2 and Southland’s ILT Stadium on October 6, all three kicking off at 7.35.
All six matches will be live on Sky Sports, with coverage on Sky Sports Mix and – for free – on the Sky Sports YouTube channel.
Who features for Vitality Roses?
From September 17: Imogen Allison, Eleanor Cardwell (Australian series only), Amy Carter, Beth Cobden, Funmi Fadoju, Alice Harvey, Helen Housby, Hannah Joseph, Berri Neil, Lois Pearson, Razia Quashie, Ellie Rattu, Jessica Shaw, Liv Tchine, Francesca Williams
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Former England netball star Tamsin Greenway discusses England’s summer series against Australia and New Zealand, which will be shown on Sky Sports.
How has England performed in the past?
England last met both Australia and New Zealand at the Vitality Netball Nations Cup (VNNC) in January, where they were beaten 61-59 by Australia in their group stage match.
Against New Zealand, England won 58-57 in a thrilling match that was decided in the dying seconds. England were then convincingly beaten 69-49 by Australia in a one-sided final, also losing in the previous year’s Netball World Cup final.
Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player
Highlights of the 2024 Netball Nations Cup final between England and Australia
The Taini Jamison Cup is hosted annually by New Zealand and named in honor of the former head coach, with England claiming a 2-1 series victory in the 2021 edition before the Black Ferns beat last year’s series by the same margin.
What can we expect from England?
Thirlby’s team stunned at the 2023 Netball World Cup when they beat New Zealand 46-40 to book their place in the final, with Vitality Roses head coach Thirlby already thinking about the 2027 World Cup on Australian soil.
“I think our expectations and ambitions have to remain high if we are going to close the gap over the next few years,” Thirlby. to Sky Sports. “So the expectations are high for ourselves, but we’re not under any illusions about this big tour, we’re playing the No. 1 and No. 2 in the world very quickly.
“Just do it, really. That’s what we’re used to doing in terms of us not doing easy things, we’re not afraid to come here at the beginning of our cycle. You can’t guarantee that you’re going to get this opportunity to play world No 1 and 2, so earlier is better for us.
“We’ve got a growing and exciting team. There’s a lot of new and emerging talent and emerging talent, so we’ve got to unlock different combinations to stress test and there’s no better place to stress test.”
Watch the Vitality Roses tour of Australia and New Zealand live on Sky Sports. The opening match is live on Sky Sports Mix and – for free – on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel. Stream netball and other sports with NOW.
