Netball: Shooting options broader on UK tour

Anna Thompson has been recalled to replace injured midcourter Temepara George. Photo / Getty Images

Canterbury shooter Anna Thompson has been recalled to the Silver Ferns for next month's tour of England as the New Zealand selectors canvass their options in a problem area of the court.

The inclusion of Thompson in place of midcourter Temepara George, who was unavailable as she continues her rehabilitation from minor ankle surgery, is the only change to the 12-strong team who defended their Commonwealth title in Delhi this year.

The decision to replace George with a shooter, rather than go for a straight swap and bring in another midcourter, suggests coach Ruth Aitken still isn't settled on her shooting line-up for next year's world championships in Singapore.

"It's no secret the depth in the shooting circle has been a concern over the last wee while, so it is a great opportunity to keep broadening the options," said Aitken.

With little time to build new combinations before the world championships in July, Aitken has for some time signalled she is keen to keep the bulk of her squad together from this year's Commonwealth Games campaign.

The shooting circle remains the only real area of contention after attacking utility Grace Rasmussen, who at her best is a deceptive and crafty goal attack, struggled to find consistency in her debut season with the Ferns.

Thompson impressed over the second half of the year, playing a leading role in Canterbury's NPC triumph earlier this year and the Fastnet Ferns' surprise victory in last month's world series, and forced the selectors to reassess.

Thompson, who played one test in 2009, missed out on the Commonwealth Games team after being dropped in favour of Rasmussen.

"Anna certainly took on board feedback which we gave her after trials earlier in the year. She's improved both her conditioning and her power, which had fallen off a bit," said Aitken.

Thompson said that the experience of missing out on the team for Delhi forced to her to analyse her game and where she needed to improve.

"It was hard watching the girls at the Commonwealth Games, in my heart I really wanted to be there, so it made me want it more, I guess," she said.

Thompson said the competition with Rasmussen for the fourth shooting role would make her work even harder.

But with former Fern Paula Griffin signalling her intention to push for a recall next year, it won't be a straight two-way battle for a spot of the world championship team.

Aitken said Griffin was not in the frame for the England tour, but was pleased to learn the young shooter is keen to return after taking time away from the sport following this year's ANZ Championships.

"But it's not an easy road back in for her," Aitken warned.

The inclusion of an extra shooter leaves the Ferns light on midcourt options for the tour, but Aitken says she is comfortable with the cover she has, with both Rasmussen and Thompson able to slide across to wing attack.

It is expected that zippy midcourter Liana Leota (nee Barrett-Chase) will be used at wing attack for most of the tour, providing the diminutive star with an opportunity to further develop at test level after a breakthrough 2010 season.

The Silver Ferns fly on January 9.

NZ v ENGLAND
Three test series

* January 15 - Manchester

* January 17 - Nottingham

* January 19 - London: O2 Arena

Silver Ferns team
Leana de Bruin, Katrina Grant, Joline Henry, Laura Langman, Liana Leota, Grace Rasmussen, Anna Scarlett, Anna Thompson, Maria Tutaia, Irene van Dyk, Casey Williams (c), Daneka Wipiiti