Netball World Cup: Anita Navin gives her verdict on England's squad
What qualities do they bring?
Wednesday 1 July 2015 17:18, UK
England have confirmed their squad for the Netball World Cup in Sydney so we asked Anita Navin to run the rule over the 12 players who were selected...
Geva Mentor
Mentor is dominant in the circle and can manoeuvre around the world's best stalwarts wearing the shooter bib. She is the defender who will be needed to match up against the tall timber of Australia's Caitlin Bassett and Jamaica's Romelda Aiken and Jhanelle Fowler-Reid.
England really need the tenacity of Geva Mentor who can steal the ball in almost any circumstance.
This season Mentor was joint winner of the 2015 Sharelle McMahon Medal for her consistent performances with Melbourne Vixens. England really need the tenacity of Mentor who can steal the ball in almost any circumstance.
Pamela Cookey
Cookey was a surprise selection for the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 but did not participate due to a knee injury. She has played in two Games and this will be her third World Cup cycle.
In the Superleague she progressed to full fitness to experience what will have been the highlight of her career in winning the title. Her ability to carve up the circle and connect with Jo Harten, Helen Housby and Rachel Dunn in the international line-up has so far been first class.
Sara Bayman
She will remember the bronze medal won at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi as the highlight of her career but will be determined to assert herself this summer and make sure England maintain consistency and cope with all the high pressure moments.
Known as one of the most consistent athletes on court with incredible endurance, she has bounced back from the upset of injury and deselection. Bayman can cope in high pressure moments and she will expect success in Sydney.
Eboni Beckford-Chambers
Beckford-Chambers is another dogged defender who has mastered the art of counteracting the height of shooters such as Aiken and Fowler-Reid. Playing most of her ANZ campaign at GK she may also be found in the GD role with England.
She is an intelligent player who manoeuvres around her shooter early and sets herself carefully to ensure she has the vision of the court as the opposition make the transition to the shooting third.
Jade Clarke
Now with NSW Swifts, Clarke has stepped up to another level proving she can counteract the cuts and drives of the best Australian attackers in the ANZ who, for many, prove hard to conquer.
Clarke has captained England and is an athlete every fan wants to see on court. Competing with Diamonds mid-courter Kim Green will no doubt have filled Clarke with the confidence to compete for England in a familiar arena.
Rachel Dunn
Her career has escalated since joining Surrey Storm and her partnership with Cookey and Tamsin Greenway has been outstanding. Our southern hemisphere counterparts see her as an unorthodox shooter but she has been one of the most consistent in the Superleague over the last two seasons.
Stacey Francis
She is known for her explosive style in defence and athleticism throughout the mid-court on attack. Having missed some of the Superleague season she reappeared during the Trinidad and Tobago Test series to power her way through the defensive role.
Stacey Francis is the one to steal the ball in the last seconds and a game-changer when at her best.
Francis is the one to steal the ball in the last seconds and a game-changer when at her best. She responds well to the communication skills of Sonia Mkoloma and Mentor so expect her to be high on the intercept tally at the World Cup.
Tamsin Greenway
Greenway is likely to play a leading role at WA and is an athlete many would say would have aided the performance of England at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year.
She is a natural ball player with the instinct to see and open up space for herself and others. Her experience and insight in the attacking unit will be a valuable addition in Sydney.
Serena Guthrie
As a rookie in the ANZ with Mystics she was voted the best new talent and following appeared in the 2015 All-Star team. Guthrie finished third in the intercepts tally and is likely to be a first-choice WD for England.
Jo Harten
Harten is shooting far more frequently and has captured the ANZ crowds as she carefully distributes the ball and uses her dynamic moves to collect for shooting opportunities. The Kiwis have picked up on her ability to lead her team. Harten is the reliable one who can now shoot that winning goal under pressure with seconds on the clock.
Helen Housby
There is evidence to say she has seriously stepped up and decided she wants to shoot, perhaps remembering those strong words from coach Tracey Neville in the last Test series. Neville is hungry for success and her words to Housby have made this young athlete deliver in the preparation camp.
Sonia Mkoloma
Mkoloma is tactically astute and has the communication skills to shatter any attacking unit. Her ability to read the game along with her incredible arms-over-the-ball technique is second to none. England welcome her into the squad for her experience, leadership and commitment to win.
