Harrison ready to make long-awaited return
October 9, 2016
Lanky defender Anna Harrison has put a frustrating six weeks behind her as she looks forward to making a delayed return to the Silver Ferns for the Constellation Cup against Australia.
Having time out for the birth of her second child, Harrison has not played for the Silver Ferns since the 2014 Commonwealth Games but earned a recall this year on the back of a stellar ANZ Championship for the SKYCITY Mystics.
However, Harrison was left cooling her heels after being ruled out of the recent Netball Quad Series and New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy (against Jamaica) with a calf injury. Now fully recovered, Harrison is raring to go and excited to be back in the mix for the four-Test Series, starting in Sydney today.
Harrison offers coach Janine Southby plenty of options with her ability and impact to play anywhere in the defence line. The 79-Test veteran is confident of quickly getting up to speed and has been named in the 12 for today’s First Test.
At 33, Harrison has no qualms about being the elder stateswoman in the Silver Ferns, viewing it as an added bonus.
“I’m enjoying being in this position,” she said. “Experience is invaluable and there’s things I wish I had known when I was younger, so I’m here to offer that.
“I want to come in and hit the ground running. I’ve been around for a while now, I’m here because I want to be here and performing at my best, not just to cruise and see what happens.”
For the Silver Ferns, there will be plenty of thought given to breaking down the Diamonds well-performed and settled attack line where Harrison said it will be imperative to break the effective link between Madi Robinson and Natalie Medhurst.
“From the couch it’s easier said than done, but it’s about doing a lot work before it gets to the circle edge because (Caitlin) Bassett is such a target in there and it’s really hard to stop once it’s there,” she said.
Fans can catch Anna and her Silver Ferns team-mates in action during the First Test of the Constellation Cup LIVE on SKY Sport NZ 2 from 5.15pm (NZT) or on DELAY on Prime from 10.35pm (check local guides).
Having time out for the birth of her second child, Harrison has not played for the Silver Ferns since the 2014 Commonwealth Games but earned a recall this year on the back of a stellar ANZ Championship for the SKYCITY Mystics.
However, Harrison was left cooling her heels after being ruled out of the recent Netball Quad Series and New World Netball Series for the Taini Jamison Trophy (against Jamaica) with a calf injury. Now fully recovered, Harrison is raring to go and excited to be back in the mix for the four-Test Series, starting in Sydney today.
Harrison offers coach Janine Southby plenty of options with her ability and impact to play anywhere in the defence line. The 79-Test veteran is confident of quickly getting up to speed and has been named in the 12 for today’s First Test.
At 33, Harrison has no qualms about being the elder stateswoman in the Silver Ferns, viewing it as an added bonus.
“I’m enjoying being in this position,” she said. “Experience is invaluable and there’s things I wish I had known when I was younger, so I’m here to offer that.
“I want to come in and hit the ground running. I’ve been around for a while now, I’m here because I want to be here and performing at my best, not just to cruise and see what happens.”
For the Silver Ferns, there will be plenty of thought given to breaking down the Diamonds well-performed and settled attack line where Harrison said it will be imperative to break the effective link between Madi Robinson and Natalie Medhurst.
“From the couch it’s easier said than done, but it’s about doing a lot work before it gets to the circle edge because (Caitlin) Bassett is such a target in there and it’s really hard to stop once it’s there,” she said.
Fans can catch Anna and her Silver Ferns team-mates in action during the First Test of the Constellation Cup LIVE on SKY Sport NZ 2 from 5.15pm (NZT) or on DELAY on Prime from 10.35pm (check local guides).