The first match of the Netball World Cup is less than a week away. Netball writer Robert van Royen has so far previewed South Africa, Malawi and Jamaica as potentially tough teams the Silver Ferns could meet in the tournament. Starting with England, only the two biggest threats to the Ferns remain in our five-part series.
HISTORY
England. Just England.
No nickname such as the Sunshine Girls, Queens or Diamonds for this team.
England has competed in each of the past 13 World Cups - two of them at home (1962 and 1995) - but is yet to claim its first title.
Its best finish was in 1971, when it finished runner-up to Australia.
However, England has also finished third three times, including in Singapore three years ago, and has never finished worse than fourth.
It qualified for this year's tournament as the third-ranked team in the world.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Captain Geva Mentor and shooter Jo Harten stand out in a quality England side some are tipping to at least make the final.
Both play in the ANZ Championship - Mentor for the Vixens and Harten the Magic - and both are among the best in their positions.
Mentor, who has won ANZ Championship titles with the Vixens (2014) and Thunderbirds (2010), will captain England for the first time at the World Cup.
The 30-year-old defender first played for her country when she was 16 and is also capable of covering wing defence.
She finished the past ANZ Championship campaign with the eighth most deflections (42) and also grabbed 17 intercepts.
At the other end of the court, Harten shot 344 from 402 attempts to help the Magic win the New Zealand conference in her second season with the team.
WORLD CUP PROSPECTS
With 10 of 12 players from the 2011 World Cup in Singapore back, England is primed to push for a spot in the final for the first time since finals were introduced in 1991.
Its prospects are enhanced by a New Zealand team that is barely clinging on to its No 2 ranking in the world.
England is pitted in pool B with Jamaica, Samoa and Scotland.
Its clash with Jamaica next Saturday is sure to decide the winner of the pool.
If England wins the pool and New Zealand finishes second in pool A, the two sides will meet in the first match of the second round.
It will be considered a failure if England do not at least make the semifinals, but this hardened group appears primed to go at least one step further.
Do not be surprised if England is playing Australia for the title on August 16.
England
World Cup team
Geva Mentor (captain), Pamela Cookey, Rachel Dunn, Jo Harten, Helen Housby, Sara Bayman, Jade Clarke, Tamsin Greenway, Serena Gutherie, Eboni Beckford-Chambers, Stacey Francis and Sonia Mkoloma. Coach: Tracey Neville.
CUP RECORD
Best finish: Second (1975).
Played: 118.
Won: 85.
Lost: 33.
