The England netball team started off strong in the Nations Cup, securing a 62-56 victory over Uganda at Wembley Arena on 20th January 2024. The team displayed a strong performance, led by experienced players, but aim to improve as they prepare to face Australia, the reigning world champions.
England’s shooter Helen Housby, who made her 99th Roses appearance, acknowledged that the team has room for improvement following the win. The upcoming match against Australia, taking place on Sunday, will be a rematch of last year’s World Cup final, which saw England narrowly miss out on the title.
Despite a challenging match against Uganda, England head coach Jess Thirlby saw it as a necessary test for the team. The emerging Ugandan team, ranked seventh in the world, proved to be formidable opponents, keeping pace with the World Cup runners-up throughout the game.
The victory over Uganda has set the stage for an exciting showdown against Australia, with live commentary available for fans on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra. After facing each other once, all four nations will compete for a spot in the final or a third-place play-off on 28th January at Leeds’ First Direct Arena.
In addition to England’s triumph, Australia secured a decisive 63-50 victory over New Zealand in the tournament’s opening match. The Diamonds, who have been dominant in the netball world, will undoubtedly provide a tough challenge for England in the upcoming match.
As the teams gear up for the remainder of the tournament, fans can expect intense and competitive matches, as the top netball nations battle for supremacy in the Nations Cup. The future looks promising for England as they continue to strive for success on the international stage.