Netball: Ferns cool about Sunshine Girls

Ruth Aitken coach of the Silver Ferns. Photo / Getty Images

Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken admits an under-strength Jamaican side is unlikely to provide her team with the robust challenge they want before the Commonwealth Games. But she still believes next week's two-test series against the Sunshine Girls will be a valuable experience.

The Silver Ferns meet Jamaica in Christchurch on Wednesday and Napier next weekend.

Jamaica are missing a number of key players including captain Simone Forbes (study commitments). Shooter Crystal Gordon was unable to gain a release from her US college where she has a volleyball scholarship, while the defensive circle is also lacking Kasey Evering (recovery from surgery) and Althea Byfield (shoulder problem).

The depleted line-up has suffered two heavy defeats in Australia - 38-59 in Melbourne on Sunday and 42-69 in Sydney on Wednesday. They wrap up the series on the Gold Coast today.

Aitken, who watched from the stands in Melbourne, believes the Jamaicans' forward line is struggling without Forbes, their key playmaker who will be available for the Games in October.

Aitken said 1.96m shooter Romelda Aiken appears to be still adjusting to the Caribbean style after playing for the Queensland Firebirds in the transtasman league.

Aitken is disappointed not to be able to test her side against a full-strength Jamaican line-up before heading to Delhi. If the Ferns are to meet the Jamaicans there, it won't be until the knockout stages.

However, with a number of the Jamaican stars on US athletic scholarships, they are used to the Sunshine Girls turning up to pinnacle events with very different teams from regular test series.

Nevertheless, Aitken believes it will be worthwhile for her side to come up against the Jamaicans' markedly different style. Jamaica's more static, aerial approach to the post will test her defenders' elevation and timing.

"It's a slower, loopier pass compared to how we pass and how the Aussies pass, so timing on intercepts takes a bit of adjustment."

The series gives Aitken and assistant Waimarama Taumaunu leeway to test combinations.

"Certainly for us this next series is about looking at more combinations and really establishing what we can use going forward," said Aitken.