England’s Netball World Cup 2023 journey has been a successful one so far, as they secured a spot in the semi-finals with an outstanding performance against Fiji, winning 89-28 in Cape Town, South Africa. Led by the impeccable shooting of Eleanor Cardwell, who scored 40 goals from 41 attempts, and Helen Housby, who contributed 26 goals from 28 attempts, England dominated the match and demonstrated great cohesion throughout the court.
The team’s victory over Fiji means they will face Australia, the world number one side, in their final Pool F match on Thursday. Despite their previous struggles with slow starts and errors, the Roses made significant improvements in this match, especially in their attacking partnership between Housby and Cardwell, who scored a combined total of 50 goals by halftime. Mid-court player Imogen Allison and experienced Chelsea Pitman, in her 50th appearance for the Roses, also played crucial roles in providing goal assists.
Coach Jess Thirlby made second-half substitutions, resulting in a slight drop in intensity, but young shooter Olivia Tchine proved to be a solid option from the bench, while veteran Jade Clarke continued to exert her influence as a six-time World Cup participant.
Although England’s achievements have somewhat gone unnoticed compared to other teams like Jamaica, New Zealand, and Australia, they have quietly impressed with their consistent performance. Thirlby expressed her confidence in the team and emphasized the importance of trusting all 12 players to make an impact on the court.
Looking ahead, England recognizes that their biggest challenge lies in facing Australia, the 11-time world champions. Thirlby acknowledged the need to tighten up on errors and maintain high-quality netball throughout all four quarters. Despite their comfortable path to the semi-finals with five routine wins, the team remains humble and focused on the task at hand.
After playing five pool matches in five days, England will have a rest day to recover physically and mentally before their upcoming clash with Australia. Thirlby highlighted the importance of this break, allowing the players to spend time with their friends and family, providing them with the necessary energy for the next challenge.
In another fixture, Australia managed to defeat Malawi 70-46, maintaining their perfect record with five wins from five matches. They faced some resistance as Malawi kept the match level at 28-28 at halftime, but Australia’s tactical substitutions led them to a decisive 12-point lead by the end of the third quarter.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s defeat against Tonga ensured that they would not finish higher than ninth in Pool F.
The Netball World Cup 2023 continues to unfold, and you can follow all the action on various BBC platforms, including live coverage on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer, commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, and text commentary of selected matches on the Sport News Center website and app.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Netball World Cup 2023
Q: What were the results of the Netball World Cup 2023 match between England and Fiji?
A: England dominated the match, winning 89-28 against Fiji, securing their place in the semi-finals.
Q: When and where is the Netball World Cup 2023 taking place?
A: The Netball World Cup 2023 is being held in Cape Town, South Africa, from 28 July to 6 August.
Q: Which teams will England face in the semi-finals?
A: England will face world number one side Australia in their semi-final match.
Q: Who were the standout players for England in the match against Fiji?
A: Eleanor Cardwell scored 40 goals from 41 attempts, and Helen Housby contributed 26 goals from 28 attempts, making them the standout players for England in the match.
Q: How has England’s performance been in the tournament so far?
A: England has had a successful run in the tournament, securing a spot in the semi-finals with five routine wins.
Q: How has England’s head coach, Jess Thirlby, managed the team during the matches?
A: Jess Thirlby has rotated the squad and demonstrated confidence in all 12 players, allowing them to make an impact on the court.
Q: Which other teams have also reached the semi-finals?
A: Australia, the world number one team, has also reached the semi-finals with a perfect record of five wins from five matches.
Q: How will England prepare for the semi-finals after playing five pool matches in five days?
A: England will have a rest day to recover physically and mentally, allowing players to spend time with friends and family to recharge for the upcoming challenge.
Q: Where can I follow the Netball World Cup 2023 matches?
A: You can watch live coverage on BBC TV and BBC iPlayer, listen to commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra, and follow text commentary of selected matches on the Sport News Center website and app.
More about Netball World Cup 2023
- Netball World Cup 2023: England 89-28 Fiji – Red Roses dominate to seal semi-final spot (BBC Sport): Link
- Netball World Cup 2023 Fixtures, Scores, and Results (BBC Sport): Link
- Netball World Cup 2023: How to follow the action on the BBC (BBC Sport): Link
