Netball: England must stay in touch with Jamaica and not focus on Aussies and Kiwis, says Anita Navin

What’s 'Cook-ing' at England Netball?

Well, there's a big comeback for Sam Cook, who enters the touring squad after an injury put her out of the game last year. This means she gains a place in the podium squad for the forthcoming season which must be a dream come true. Cook offers natural athleticism, grit and determination - essential qualities for survival in top flight netball - and has sent a very powerful message indicating that she means business and wants a place in the World Cup 2015 squad. 

Cook is accompanied by Sophia Candappa who also enters into the podium group. The pair offer variation and the occasional unorthodoxies most sports crave at the top level. Candappa, who has played most of her top-flight domestic netball at Loughborough Lightning, seems destined to make a difference and in a very discrete manner has the touch on the ball not dissimilar to that of Olivia Murphy.

It is Cook, however, who has been elevated and placed in the competition squad to compete against Australia and New Zealand during October and November. This really is her chance to shine and make the difference to enhance her chances of being in the squad for Sydney next year.

England squad for Australia & New Zealand Test Series: Rosie Allison, Kadeen Corbin, Rachel Dunn, Joanne Harten, Helen Housby, Sara Bayman, Sasha Corbin, Jade Clarke, Serena Guthrie, Ama Agbeze, Eboni Beckford-Chambers, Sam Cook, Stacey Francis and Geva Mentor.

Opportunity

Rosie Allison hasn't had a summer to remember after missing out on a place in the Commonwealth Games squad in Glasgow, but she has been granted an opportunity to showcase her capabilities with this squad. Rosie is a young shooter who has been in the game a long time but now in her early twenties, she is an athlete England must not lose sight of as progress is made to being the number one side in the world. Our shooting future is incredibly bright with Helen Housby also securing a place in the podium group and selected to compete in the Test Series. England have some very young shooting hot shots and it really is important that their holistic development is at the heart of all activity moving forwards. The influence of Karen Greig and Tracey Neville is reflected in the performances and idiosyncrasies of Housby who seems to get rid of any nerves in the most pressured situations. Greig and Neville always possessed the zest to win and the capacity to take the ultimate risk to win a game and the nation see this mirrored in Housby. For young Helen it's about looking forward to the World Cup and leaving behind the disappointments of her first Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

England must keep track of the Australian and New Zealand style and tactics, but in the next 10 months must ensure that Jamaica are monitored and closely attended to

At the helm of the shooting end is Jo Harten who we know is a much-loved performer in the southern hemisphere. She is a valued member of her New Zealand franchise Waikato Magic and a much-loved teammate by many in her ANZ squad. Jo has this inherent desire to win, will always do what it takes to best prepare herself and will continue to demand more from her fellow shooting colleagues.

The up-and-coming Test Series is certainly on the radar for the avid netball supporter and it really is time to show that a medal is firmly within the grasp of England next year. England lifted the Rugby Union World Cup in Sydney back in 2003 and this really must be a target for our netball squad in 2015. This will be Jade Clarke’s backyard in 2015 so it seems pos