Netball: Outgoing Aitken still looking to tighten up Ferns

Ruth Aitken. File photo / Brett Phibbs

As far as starting points go, Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken says her side's opening performance against England on Monday night wasn't too bad.

But with only four tests remaining before she hands the group over to her as yet unannounced successor, she would like them to take several more steps forward over the ensuing weeks, beginning with their second test against England in Invercargill tomorrow night.

The Silver Ferns demolished the world No 3 ranked English side by 22 goals in the first match of the abbreviated series. However the scoreline could have been even more pronounced had it not been for a couple of untidy periods when the Ferns struggled with their links through court with several newcomers thrust into the mix.

"It was a great first hit-out, I thought to get 11 players out on court was awesome, but obviously a bit of a challenge in terms of maintaining the flow during those changes," said Aitken.

"We'll really be working on finding those connections ahead of the second test."

If the opening test in Auckland was about ushering in the next class of Silver Ferns, with Cathrine Latu, Kayla Cullen and Sulu Tone-Fitzpatrick all making their debut, tomorrow's match will be about celebrating the old guard.

Irene van Dyk will mark yet another milestone in her remarkable career, racking up her 200th international test cap when she takes the court in Invercargill.

Already the world's most capped netballer by a long way, van Dyk will tomorrow achieve what is quite possibly a first for an international sportsperson in any code, adding her 128th test cap for New Zealand to the 72 she played for South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

Adding to the occasion will be the fact that it will be Aitken's last test in charge on home soil, with the coach wrapping up her decade-long tenure with a three-test series against Australia across the Tasman this month.

The two end-of-year series were always going to be a strange proposition for Aitken, who agreed to remain at the helm in a caretaker role while Netball New Zealand searches for the next coach. She faces the challenge of building for future campaigns she won't be part of.

But Aitken said her focus had been on trying to build a strong foundation for the next coach.

"Yes, I must say it is a bit strange but I've sort of got my head around it now. I see it as my job to prepare this group as best I possibly can for the next four-year cycle."

After a disappointing opening showing, the English will be out to spoil Aitken's last home stop on her farewell tour tomorrow.

England coach Anna Mayes, who is apparently leading the side for the New Zealand tour despite England Netball announcing Colette Thomson would be in charge, said that while she had a new group, she was disappointed with the lack of discipline from her side.

"I was extremely disappointed with the number of basic errors we made. That is something that for me, at international level, is unforgivable and we'll be endeavouring to put that right."