A perfect Pool B campaign put England through into the second group stage but their biggest challenge of the tournament so far now lies in wait. Thanks to a shock loss to New Zealand, the host nation Australia now find themselves being placed into the same Pool as the Roses.
Up until then Lisa Alexander’s Diamonds had made light work of Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados in their opening group. The top two in this Pool will progress to the semi-finals and each nation will be desperate to settle the nerves and pick up the win.
The last time these two sides was at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. On that occasion England fell to a last minute loss by a single goal.
In 2007 they clashed in the semi-finals of the World Championships, Australia securing a 51-33 victory on their way to claiming a ninth title.
The most successful country in World Cup history made it 10 in 2011 with a dramatic extra-time win against New Zealand.
England head coach Tracey Neville is looking forward to the test ahead, she said “It is obviously a big game, Australia had a disappointing loss the other night and I think the Aussies on a downer are always going to be a tough side. They are an experience side and we will have to be on our game. In the game against Jamaica, we didn’t start well and we cannot let that happen. If you look at last results against Australia, It’s always been the first quarter when they have got on top of us.”
Despite their earlier defeat, Neville is not taking the Diamonds lightly, she added: “We can’t underestimate and assume that the Aussies are on a down and that they will be easy to take because an Australia side is never easy. Our girls have got a point to prove, you are always going for a win but as I have said from the start it’s about the performance and I feel that if we perform, we will be a tough team to beat.”
England versus Australia match will be shown live exclusively on Sky Sports 4 from 11:15am. Non-subscribers can also see matches without a contract through online streaming service NOW TV.
By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.
Report courtesy of England Netball
