England beat the reigning champions to book a spot in the Netball World Cup final; the final will be live on Sky Max and Sky Sports on Sunday, with one game per day available on the Sky Sports YouTube channel
Sunday 6 August 2023 07:08, UK
England booked their spot in the Netball World Cup final for the first time with a nail-biting 46-40 victory over reigning champions New Zealand.
England, who will now face Australia in the final - live on Sky Sports Arena and Sky Max on Sunday - had nerves that were clear to see as the match got under way with both teams struggling to penetrate the middle, held balls from New Zealand and Geva Mentor's defence for England keeping things close.
It was New Zealand who first found their rhythm, sticking to their game plan but the likes of Layla Guscoth continued to put England back in the game, the sides locked in at 9-9 after the first quarter.
England's shooting circle continued to be a bit unsettled as their defensive setup fired, Helen Housby and Eleanor Cardwell slowly getting into the game as New Zealand powered through the final five minutes of the quarter to level the game at 20-all at half-time.
Jade Clarke was brought on at Centre for the third quarter for England as the momentum continued to swing between these two sides, Fran Williams then entering the fray.
An interception by the Silver Ferns on a Nat Metcalf pass then finally gave them the lead with three minutes remaining of the third quarter but England got back in it again, a Clarke interception leading to a Housby goal on the hooter to bring the scores to 32-32 with one quarter to go.
England got to work quickly in the final quarter as Imogen Allison came back on at Centre, a huge interception from Mentor in the circle keeping the Silver Ferns at bay.
However, New Zealand continued to bring themselves back into it as they levelled the scores at 40-apiece with five minutes to play.
A huge Williams interception with just four minutes to play gave England a two-goal cushion, Cardwell extending that to three before Housby added two more.
With just one minute remaining the crowd erupted as England took back the possession, Cardwell adding another and the bench cheering as England won 46-40.
England co-captain Layla Guscoth...
"We have received so much criticism over the past year and if people could see the hard work behind the scenes.
"Everyone deserves it so much.
"We are so grateful to have the chance to play in a World Cup Final.
"We celebrate, we rest, and we come back tomorrow."
England's Fran Williams...
"That game was a grind from the start. I thought everybody played their roles really well and you have to grind them down.
"They are so strong in defence the way they play as a unit and I think we stuck to the game plan today and everybody played their role.
"There is a privilege in coming on later in the game - I have watched it out, I have seen what I can do.
"People who have gone before me to tire out some players then I can go out and win some ball.
"I think we have really been on a roll with our mental resilience and how we can just go goal for goal."
Australia sealed their spot in the Netball World Cup final with a tight 57-54 victory over Jamaica, continuing their 70-year run of appearing in the gold medal game.
Just as England's semi-final with New Zealand was a close one, Australia and Jamaica pushed each other all the way, their attacks firing through Steph Wood and Jahniele Fowler to go in at 14-14 after the first quarter.
The second quarter was just as tight, but after a missed opportunity for Jamaica, Australia got a foothold in the game, securing a three-goal cushion with four minutes left to play in the quarter.
However, the Sunshine Girls fought back with the crowd right behind them, bringing the quarter to 15 goals a piece and he scores level at 29-29 at half-time.
Australia pushed into the lead gain in the third quarter, gaining a three-goal lead with 10 minutes played.
The Diamonds managed to keep coming to end the quarter with a two-goal cushion, leading 42-40 with just one quarter remaining.
The match continued to ebb and flow as the lead continued to switch hands, an interception by Wood taking Jamaica's last chance away as Australia won 57-54 to book a spot in the final.
Non-Sky Sports customers can watch Netball World Cup final on Sky Max, channel 113, on Sunday from 4.30pm. Sky Sports customers can also watch on Sky Sports Arena.
