Netball: Recovered Williams on track for court time

In welcome news for Waikato defender Casey Williams, Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken has promised that every squad member on the tour of Jamaica will play a test.

The 12-strong squad were to leave for the three-test tour of Jamaica tonight.

After making the squad for the first time a year ago, Williams has yet to make her debut for the Silver Ferns but that now seems assured unless her ankle injury plays a part.

Williams has not played since she rolled her ankle, damaging ligaments, during the national championships in September.

But the lanky goal keep resumed fitness work a week ago and expected to be available come the first test against Jamaica on November 14.

"I'm on track," Williams said.

"My progress is pretty good and I'm on the way up."

Aitken has shown her regard for the brilliant young defender by taking her on tour despite a lack of court time in the last month.

Williams would like to repay that faith with a good performance against their opponents, Jamaica and Barbados.

"I will just go over there and take part in trainings and give 110 per cent."

Similar to the way the All Blacks are seeking to build depth in each position on their Grand Slam tour, Aitken is using the trip to Jamaica for the same purpose in the lead-up to next year's Commonwealth Games.

"We want to build our whole squad and the team of 12 so we have a variety of options at the Commonwealth Games," Aitken said.

"It's a great opportunity to give players some pressure netball and develop combinations... we saw what can happen with (the injury to) Liz Ellis and we have to make sure all contingencies are planned for."

New Zealand play Jamaica on November 14 (10.15am NZT) and Barbados on November 15 (11.15am NZT) and then the final is the following day between the two top teams.

Jamaica are the stronger of the two Caribbean teams but have been weakened by the unavailability of seven players.

That has led to the promotion of seven players from their under-21 side who lost 1-2 to their New Zealand counterparts earlier this year.

Included in the side is 16-year-old Romelda Aiken who, at 1.96m tall, is being billed as Jamaica's answer to Irene van Dyk.

Jamaica are always a tougher prospect at home, but their record against the Silver Ferns is poor with just one win from 35 games.

- nzpa