Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls are expected to field a strong team in the three-Test Vitality Netball International Series against hosts England Roses slated for January 11-15, next year.

Game one in the series is scheduled for Wednesday, January 11, at the AO Arena in Manchester with the second match set for three days later at the Copperbox Arena in London. The final game in the series is set for the same venue on January 15.

Netball Jamaica President Tricia Robinson said that Sunshine Girls Head Coach Connie Francis is expected to field a very strong team for the series because a number of experienced players are set to return from injury for the tour.

“We will be fielding a good team there because this will be our last major outing before the World Cup, and so will be sending a very strong team to England,” Robinson said.

“It will be a good test for us because we have not been able to have the ladies who played in the Commonwealth Games participating in any of the games that we have played since August due to injuries and school commitments.

“They are expected to be cleared for this series in January and so this series will be a good test for us at the start of the new year,” Robinson ended.

The Jamaica netball boss said the series forms a crucial part of preparations for next year’s World Cup, which will be held in Cape Town, South Africa.

“It is a part of our preparations heading into the World Cup in July, and so the coach will have a look at her players during the series ahead of the championships,” said Robinson.

“We didn’t get an opportunity to play England at the Commonwealth Games in August, and so I am expecting to see a fierce competition between both countries.

“This is a very huge series for us because it will be our last international outing before the World Cup and so I am expecting the girls to go out there and put on an excellent showing for the country,” she ended.

Jamaica are ranked number three in the world, while England are fourth.

— Robert Bailey