Netball: English netballers looking to rebound

The England netball side have arrived in Auckland with plenty to work to do following their 61-21 drubbing by Australia in Melbourne.

England suffered their heaviest loss to the Australians in the one-off test on Friday night. The Australians had the match sewn up in the first quarter where they led 15-3.

England, ranked fourth in the world, were without several key players including captain Olivia Murphy, experienced attacker Tracey Neville and shooters Amanda Newton and Karen Greig - all injured.

Murphy and Greig have joined the side in Auckland and are expected to be fit for the first test against the Silver Ferns on March 12.

The England coach, former Australian international Marg Caldow, said her inexperienced side were simply overwhelmed by the fast-paced Australians.

"A few of our youngsters - particularly in the attack end - really struggled. They got off to a really nervous start and that got us into trouble to begin with," Caldow said.

"They just found it difficult to pull the ball through the strong pressure of the Australian defence. It was just a lack of experience really ... but that is why we are on this tour to give the young players exposure and to toughen up."

Caldow, who captained Australia to success in the '63, '75 and '79 world championships, took over the coaching reins from New Zealanders Lyn Gunson and Waimarama Taumaunu 18 months ago.

She has an ambitious programme lined up for her side leading up to next year's Commonwealth Games.

Following the three-test series against New Zealand, England will return to Australia, where they will square off against two Commonwealth Bank Trophy teams and then take part in a three-day tournament involving Commonwealth Bank Trophy teams and the Southern Sting and Northern Force sides from New Zealand.

Before the first test in Auckland, England will play the New Zealand A team and the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic and the Auckland Waitakere Diamonds National Bank Cup sides.