NINE veterans complement three players with no international experience named in Jamaica’s 12-member squad to next month’s 2010 Commonwealth Games netball competition at the Thyagaraj Sports Complex in Delhi, India from October 4-14.

Goal-shooter Jhanelle Fowler and mid-court player Kimone Tulloch will make their first overseas outing with the Sunshine Girls, while goal attack Anna Kay Griffith, who travelled with the squad on their recent five-match Test tour of Australia and New Zealand, is also included.

Both Fowler and Tulloch made their national debut in last week’s two-Test series against England at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

The remainder of the squad features a number of Commonwealth and World Championships (WNC) veterans, including Georgia Gordon, whose last championship was in 2003 in Kingston.

Kasey Evering, who returned to the squad after a three-year injury lay-off during last week’s series, will be joined by Nicole Aiken and Althea Byfield in the defending third, while Nadine Bryan, Paula Thompson, Sasher-Gaye Henry, Romelda Aiken, and captain Simone Forbes complete the line-up.

The Jamaicans are coming off a high following their 52-45 victory over 2006 Commonwealth bronze medallists England in the second game of their series on Friday after being crushed 53-42 in the opener on Wednesday.

Coach Connie Francis said it would have been a challenge to name the final squad in the defending area while there is a shortage of shooters which would make those players the easiest to select.

The former national player also said the remaining few weeks will be spent training and putting in final preparations for the Games.

“It’s just for us to go back to the drawing board and to practise and to make some adjustments,” said Francis. “There are times when we lapse in the game and we have to ensure that we stay focused and keep that lead.”

“Our focus is getting all the girls ready… bringing in some fresh legs, some experienced players… Looking at our thorough court marking, and our attacking area... we have to remain strong and focused and ensure that all our centre passes go into that net for us,” she added.

The Jamaicans finished fourth at the last Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia after a close one-point loss to England in the third-place play-off, and Francis is hoping for a better result this time around.

The Jamaicans have been drawn in Pool A alongside hosts India, Australia, Samoa, Trinidad & Tobago, and Malawi.

They open their campaign against T&T on October 4, before facing Malawi on the 5th, Australia on the 7th, Samoa on he 8th, and India on the 10th.

The Sunshine Girls depart the island for India on September 27.

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