Commentator’s Corner with Jenny Woods
August 15, 2015
We’re at the business end of Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015! After eight days of play we have reached the Semi-Finals; four teams vying for a spot in the coveted Gold Medal Match on Sunday.
SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods takes a look at both Semi-Finals.
Silver Ferns v England
First centre pass 2.10pm (NZT time)
LIVE on SKY Sport 4 from 1.55pm (NZT time)
The English have overcome the Silver Ferns just four times in 84 attempts but the last three games are a good indication of where these teams are at. A last gasp win to the Silver Ferns in Glasgow at last year’s Commonwealth Games was followed by a Test each way in New Zealand in October.
No fewer than nine of the England team play or have played in the ANZ Championship, and what they bring to the side is plain to see. But you have to wonder if this England side lacks specialists in some areas. Mkoloma, Mentor and Beckford-Chambers are all first choice GKs. The WA bib has been shared by several with Tracey Neville even trying Serena Guthrie - arguably the best WD in the world at the moment , in that position. Jo Harten has been her usual dominant self at GS but needs a steady partner and it looks increasingly likely that person is the 20-year-old Helen Housby.
As far as New Zealand’s concerned they – and Uganda – have been the surprise packages of the tournament. Uganda, because no one saw them coming and New Zealand because few thought they’d be this good.
Their defeat of Australia in Pool Play put a jolt through New Zealand and the World Cup. After appearing invincible, the word was out that the Diamonds can be beaten. It was a shock to everyone, including the Australians themselves. A few questions remain, but the brand of netball the Silver Ferns are playing is exhilarating.
They had to come from behind to beat Jamaica and were under siege throughout the match against Malawi, but were able to score or pull out extraordinary defence at critical times.
My tip: this is a New Zealand team that believes in themselves, and I can’t see them allowing England to get through to their first ever World Cup final.
Australia v Jamaica
First centre pass 4.20pm (NZT time)
Jamaica have come to Sydney confident this is their best chance ever to take a World title. Their match against New Zealand was a beauty. Their loss to England was more disappointing as it was a match Jamaica shouldn’t have let slip. They have plenty of firepower from the young defenders Stacian Facey and Khadijah Williams , through the explosive midcourter Paula Thompson, to the towering Romelda Aiken and her wisp-like offside Shanice Beckford.
So make no mistake, Australia will have to be good for this game.
They looked out of sorts against New Zealand on Day 3. Kim Green described their performance as “un-Australian”. There’s no doubt those problems will have been rectified.
Remember, this is a side that didn’t drop a Test Match for nigh on two years and they are very conscious of the fact this is THEIR World Cup.
My tip: expect a battle in this semi-final, but also expect yet another trans-Tasman World Cup final.
SKY Sport commentator Jenny Woods takes a look at both Semi-Finals.
Silver Ferns v England
First centre pass 2.10pm (NZT time)
LIVE on SKY Sport 4 from 1.55pm (NZT time)
The English have overcome the Silver Ferns just four times in 84 attempts but the last three games are a good indication of where these teams are at. A last gasp win to the Silver Ferns in Glasgow at last year’s Commonwealth Games was followed by a Test each way in New Zealand in October.
No fewer than nine of the England team play or have played in the ANZ Championship, and what they bring to the side is plain to see. But you have to wonder if this England side lacks specialists in some areas. Mkoloma, Mentor and Beckford-Chambers are all first choice GKs. The WA bib has been shared by several with Tracey Neville even trying Serena Guthrie - arguably the best WD in the world at the moment , in that position. Jo Harten has been her usual dominant self at GS but needs a steady partner and it looks increasingly likely that person is the 20-year-old Helen Housby.
As far as New Zealand’s concerned they – and Uganda – have been the surprise packages of the tournament. Uganda, because no one saw them coming and New Zealand because few thought they’d be this good.
Their defeat of Australia in Pool Play put a jolt through New Zealand and the World Cup. After appearing invincible, the word was out that the Diamonds can be beaten. It was a shock to everyone, including the Australians themselves. A few questions remain, but the brand of netball the Silver Ferns are playing is exhilarating.
They had to come from behind to beat Jamaica and were under siege throughout the match against Malawi, but were able to score or pull out extraordinary defence at critical times.
My tip: this is a New Zealand team that believes in themselves, and I can’t see them allowing England to get through to their first ever World Cup final.
Australia v Jamaica
First centre pass 4.20pm (NZT time)
Jamaica have come to Sydney confident this is their best chance ever to take a World title. Their match against New Zealand was a beauty. Their loss to England was more disappointing as it was a match Jamaica shouldn’t have let slip. They have plenty of firepower from the young defenders Stacian Facey and Khadijah Williams , through the explosive midcourter Paula Thompson, to the towering Romelda Aiken and her wisp-like offside Shanice Beckford.
So make no mistake, Australia will have to be good for this game.
They looked out of sorts against New Zealand on Day 3. Kim Green described their performance as “un-Australian”. There’s no doubt those problems will have been rectified.
Remember, this is a side that didn’t drop a Test Match for nigh on two years and they are very conscious of the fact this is THEIR World Cup.
My tip: expect a battle in this semi-final, but also expect yet another trans-Tasman World Cup final.