Whitney Souness of the Silver Ferns. Photo / Photosport
All the action between the Silver Ferns and Australia in the Constellation Cup.
Dame Noeline Taurua has named a 14-strong squad for the four-match Constellation Cup against Australia.
The team includes World Cup-winner Bailey Mes, who returns to the shooting circle following a lengthy injury layoff which saw her undergo surgery after she damaged her knee at the Netball Nations Cup in London last year.
Mes said her return has been a long time coming.
"It was a really long process getting back on court - I'm back to not quite full games yet but getting there and it's all going really well," Mes told the Country Sport Breakfast.
"It was a very subtle injury and it took a while to figure out what was going on which added to the length of time. Once I decided to have surgery we hit the first lockdown so just various things that have slowed down the process."
Midcourter Maddy Gordon has received her second call-up, and could make her debut after not playing when earning her first squad invite late last year. Gordon adds to a heavy midcourt presence, which Taurua said she was excited to unleash.
"The Silver Ferns and New Zealand netball is laden with amazing midcourt players. They all have a point of difference and they all are impressively fit and hard workers," she said.
The series marks the first time in over a year since the world No 1 Australian side played a test.
"I know the Diamonds will be excited to get back out on court after such a long break from playing international netball," Taurua said. "We are equally excited to play all four tests against the world No 1 netball team on our home soil in front of our home crowd.
"It's series like these, against our long-time rivals, which really showcases the best netball."
The timing and nature of the series, as both teams build towards the Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup, meant Taurua wanted to take a bigger squad of 14 from which she would pick a team of 12 before each match.
The four tests will be played in Christchurch on March 2 and 3 and March 6 and 7.
Silver Ferns - Constellation Cup
Shooters
Ameliaranne Ekenasio
Monica Falkner
Bailey Mes
Maia Wilson
Midcourters
Maddy Gordon
Gina Crampton
Claire Kersten
Kimiora Poi
Shannon Saunders
Whitney Souness
Samantha Winders
Defenders
Karin Burger
Sulu Fitzpatrick
Jane Watson
The Australian coach says the influx of international players is hindering the Diamonds.