The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls, the reigning champions of the Vitality Horizon Netball Series, are ready to take on host England at London’s Copper Box Arena this morning (Jamaica time).

The Sunshine Girls, known for their electrifying never-say-die attitude, are hungry for more wins and will stop at nothing to retain their title.

The first game gets underway at 9:30 am, with the second and final match following suit on Sunday at the same venue and time.

The series rivalry typically features two games in Jamaica and two in England each year. Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls won last year’s series 2–1 after one match was tied.

This year, the Jamaica leg of the competition was slated for December 6 and 7 at the National Indoor Sports Centre. Only the England-leg of the series will proceed.

Jamaica’s team is missing some key players, including captain Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Romelda Aiken-George, Shimona Nelson, and Latanya Wilson, who have withdrawn from the squad. Shamera Sterling-Humphrey is also absent after giving birth, and Jodi-Ann Ward is recovering from surgery.

Despite this, Head Coach Sasher-Gaye Henry, in a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, believes that the current roster possess talent that can match up to their opponents.

“England is a much better-experienced team; they have more experience in their team from the top to the bottom. We do have great players on-board that can match up to them but we just need to keep steady with the ball and try to take that ball down from [the] defensive area into the attack,” Henry-Wright said.

“We are in no pressure facing England; we are talking about performances, we are talking about goals. We know what we have, we know what we are going to England with. We just have to work,” Henry-Wright insisted.

Former captain Vangelee Williams, who came out of a five-year retirement, is also looking forward to a great challenge from the host nation.

“I have played against England many, many times and I have won against them many, many times, and I have suffered some losses as well. It is always a pleasure playing against them and I am looking forward to this series,” Williams said.

— Ruddy Allen

SQUAD

Shooters – Shanice Beckford, Rhea Dixon, Simone Gordon, Gezelle Allison, and Mischa Creary.

Centre Court – Khadijah Williams, Adean Thomas, Abigale Sutherland, Crystal Plummer, and Zaudi Green.

Defenders – Kimone Shaw, Vangelee Williams, Theresa Beckford, Roxanna McLean, and Paula Ann Burton.

Staff: Sasher Gaye Henry-Wright (head coach), Kerry-Ann Brown (intern coach); Dr Michelle Holt (team doctor), Offneil Lamont (physiotherapist); and Maureen Brown (team manager).