Netball: Silver Ferns' selectors find it tricky to fill the gaps

Tactix star Charlotte Kight is one of two new players in the Silver Ferns squad. Photo / Getty Images

The lack of depth in New Zealand netball has been reflected in the latest Silver Ferns squad, with just 15 players making the grade.

Ferns' coach Ruth Aitken could have named up to 18 players to form the pool from which the test line-up will be picked, but the withdrawal of three players from last year's test line-up - Julie Seymour, Leana de Bruin and Daneka Wipiiti - left the selectors struggling to fill the gaps.

New Zealand's shallow talent pool is likely to be further highlighted today when Australian coach Norma Plummer names her squad for the international season. Plummer can name up to 22 players, and even if she opts to use her full quota she would have faced tough decisions over who to leave out.

Under-21 stars Camilla Lees and Charlotte Kight were the two new faces named yesterday in the New Zealand squad. Aitken said she was impressed with the pair's consistency in their rookie ANZ Championship seasons.

Veteran midcourter Temepara George adds much-needed experience to the group, returning to the Ferns after two years in self-imposed exile from international netball.

However it was the shooting end that needed the boost, with Wipiiti's withdrawal exacerbating the shortage.

With few young players being given an opportunity this year, the selectors stuck with the four incumbents, meaning there is no competition for test places.

Aitken said with a number of shooters ineligible or unavailable to play for New Zealand, her options were cut considerably.

"If you looked at the end of the ANZ Championship out of the 10 shooters that were actually considered in the starting line, only five were available for New Zealand," said Aitken.

"Whereas the Australians have got nine out of 10 - Romelda [Aiken] is the only one they don't have to pick from."

There is hope former Silver Fern Jodi Brown, who is still returning to full fitness after the birth of her first child, may be available for the end of year tour. But Aitken said it is more likely she will be an option next season.

The Steel's Erika Burgess and Jodi Tod of the Magic have been dropped from the wider squad, perhaps paying the price for limited court time this season. The pair will have the chance to win their places back when they trial for the Silver Ferns in August. Jess Tuki (Magic) and Larissa Willcox (Tactix) have also been asked to trial.

Silver Ferns squad
Liana Barrett-Chase (Steel), Maree Bowden (Tactix), Temepara George (Mystics), Katrina Grant (Steel), Paula Griffin (Pulse), Joline Henry (Magic), Charlotte Kight (Tactix), Laura Langman (Magic), Camilla Lees (Pulse), Sheryl Scanlan (Steel), Wendy Telfer (Steel), Anna Thompson (Tactix), Maria Tutaia (Magic), Irene van Dyk (Magic), Casey Williams (Magic, captain).