England fight back to finally claim Netball World Cup win over Australia

By Sports Desk August 03, 2023

England erased an eight-point deficit to claim their first Netball World Cup win over Australia at the 14th attempt and secure top spot in Group A in Cape Town.

Jess Thirlby’s side stormed back towards the end of the third quarter and Fran Williams’ crucial interception in the dying seconds earned an historic 56-55 win.

Both teams had already secured progression from the group stage into the last four but their win means England will potentially avoid a more daunting path to the final.

Thirlby told BBC Sport: “It’s a massively important moment for this group because it adds to our confidence bank, but we know it means nothing if we can’t follow it up.

“I think it’s the fact we were eight down and then to be pushed in the last 15 minutes and still come out on top, I don’t think you can under-estimate mentally what that tells you about where this group is at.”

England were set to find out the identity of their semi-final opponents later on Thursday, with holders New Zealand facing potential elimination in their last group match against favourites Jamaica.

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    The incident, which took place during the fourth over of England's innings, sparked discussion among players and fans alike. Joseph appeared visibly frustrated with a field placement decision, leading to a disagreement with captain Shai Hope. After taking the wicket of Jordan Cox, caught behind on the fourth ball, Joseph chose not to celebrate with his teammates, instead walking back to his mark without any acknowledgment of the dismissal. His frustration escalated as he left the field unannounced at the end of the over, leaving West Indies to begin the fifth over with only ten players.

    CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, emphasized the importance of professionalism, stating, “Alzarri's behavior did not align with the core values that Cricket West Indies upholds. Such conduct cannot be overlooked, and we have taken decisive action to ensure the gravity of the situation is fully acknowledged."

    Joseph’s actions also drew criticism from head coach Daren Sammy, who voiced his concerns in an interview with TalkSPORT. Sammy described the behavior as “unacceptable,” underscoring his commitment to fostering a positive team culture. "Behavior like that is unacceptable on my cricket field," Sammy said. "We will be friends… but in the culture I'm trying to build, that’s unacceptable. We will definitely have a chat about that.”

    Reflecting on the incident, Joseph issued a public apology, expressing regret for his actions. "I recognize that my passion got the best of me. I have personally apologized to Captain Shai Hope and my teammates and management. I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans—I understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused.”

    CWI remains committed to promoting a culture of respect, integrity, and discipline within the West Indies cricket team, both on and off the field. Joseph’s suspension serves as a reminder of these core values and reinforces CWI's dedication to professionalism for all players representing West Indies cricket.

     
     
     

     

  • Sunshine Girls stage final training session before departing for Horizon Series Sunshine Girls stage final training session before departing for Horizon Series

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    Australia squad in full:

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