The reigning Commonwealth champions England will begin the defence of their netball title on Friday in Birmingham with an understanding that what lies ahead will not be easy. Four years ago, on Australia’s Gold Coast, the Roses dramatically stole victory from the home team, bringing an end to the antipodean stranglehold on the Commonwealth title that had existed since netball was introduced to the Games in 1998.
England, led by captain Natalie Metcalf and vice-captain Jo Harten, have been drawn in Group B for the tournament’s opening rounds. They will meet Trinidad and Tobago first, at midday on Friday, then Malawi, Northern Ireland and Uganda, before facing world champions New Zealand.
