3 minute read
A rundown of the top five teams at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town, at which New Zealand will defend their crown as Australia hunt a 12th title.
THE NETBALL WORLD CUP CONTENDERS
*Australia
World ranking: 1
2019 World Cup: 2nd
Player to watch: Liz Watson. The Australian midcourt star is the best in the business, regularly topping the stats sheet with her work rate. She also brings a cool head to a high-stakes environment.
*New Zealand
World ranking: 2
2019 World Cup: 1st
Player to watch: Grace Nweke. The 21-year-old goal shooter made a name for herself at last year's Commonwealth Games. Standing 193cm and impressively accurate, Nweke proves a handful for most defenders.
*England
World ranking: 3
2019 World Cup: 3rd
Player to watch: Eleanor Cardwell. England shooter Cardwell was named player of the match in Adelaide's Super Netball grand-final victory this season. The 28-year-old is a threat from anywhere in the goal circle.
*Jamaica
World ranking: 4
2019 World Cup: 5th
Player to watch: Shamera Sterling. Like Cardwell, Sterling was part of Adelaide's Super Netball triumph. A stand-out defender, she was also key as the Sunshine Girls won Commonwealth Games silver in 2022.
*South Africa
World ranking: 5
2019 World Cup: 4th
Player to watch: Karla Pretorius. The 33-year-old defender won player of the tournament at Liverpool 2019, and in her third World Cup is set to thrive on the home stage.