Jamaica's Sunshine Girls celebrate.
The Sunshine Girls are still basking in their 2-1 triumph over England in the Horizon Netball Series as it marked a crucial step forward for Jamaican netball, providing a boost in confidence and setting the tone for the team’s preparations for the South Africa series in January.
Bolstered by an electric home crowd at the National Indoor Sports Centre, the Sunshine Girls closed the series on Tuesday with back-to-back 50-49 and 61-53 victories. This, after a 49-49 draw to start the series, while England won the second contest 55-47 at the AO Arena in Manchester.
By virtue of the series win, the fourth-ranked Jamaicans are poised to inch up the rankings. As of October 6, they had 187 rating points, behind Australia (209), England (189), and New Zealand (188). South Africa is fifth with 158 rating points.
Since that release, New Zealand topped Australia 3-1 in a four-match series, and the Sunshine Girls have now topped England.
Shamera Sterling-Humphrey in action.
Regardless of whether they move or not, the Horizon series victory was especially sweet for stand-in captain Shamera Sterling-Humphrey, who stepped into the leadership role with star shooter and regular captain Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard sidelined due to injury.
Sterling-Humphrey’s commanding defensive play, alongside Latanya Wilson and Jodi-Ann Ward, proved instrumental in securing the result, earning her both Player of the Game honours in Monday’s penultimate contest and the Player of the Series award.
After subpar performances in the opening two games, Sterling-Humphrey approached the home leg of the series with renewed vigor and determination.
“For me, I didn’t play anything in the first two Test games in England, so I made sure that I came here and stamped my ground. I always want to turn up for my games and my team,” Sterling-Humphrey told SportsMax.TV.
The local crowd, which roared its support throughout the series, left a lasting impression on the captain as she also highlighted the significance of the series in their build up to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“It means a lot. This just shows that once we’re getting those international games in, we will be better. The fact that we haven’t played any Test matches in such a long time probably explains why we fell short at the World Cup. But it’s good to be getting this exposure now, and with the Horizon Series locked in for the next four years, it’s great preparation for us heading into the next World Cup,” the outstanding defender reasoned.
Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard shares a photo opportunity with a fan.
That said, the 29-year-old expressed optimism about the team’s readiness for the upcoming January 18-25 South Africa series, where another win would certainly help their rise up the rankings.
“We’re always up and ready for the challenge. Winning gives us a lot of confidence, but even if we had lost, it wouldn’t have shaken our belief. But it’s good to head into the South Africa series with wins under our belt, and we’ll definitely be ready for them,” the bubbly Sterling-Humphrey noted.
Meanwhile, though Fowler-Nembhard missed the series due to injury, her pride and encouragement for her teammates were unwavering as she watched from the sidelines, deeply connected to the action.
“I reckon I played the full 60 minutes with them from the sidelines,” she joked.
“They played really well, and I’m super proud of their performance. This series was very important because we get a limited number of international games throughout the year, so winning this one and performing the way we did is a big deal, especially coming off the World Cup,” Fowler-Nembhard shared.
The series also highlighted the depth and versatility of the Sunshine Girls, which Fowler-Nembhard sees as a promising sign for the future.
Latanya Wilson intercepts an England pass.
“It just shows the depth we have and the hunger of the players to represent. They want to play hard and go out there for Jamaica, so I’m looking forward to seeing what this team does in the South Africa series,” the towering shooter beamed.
Fowler-Nembhard also credited the home crowd for their unwavering support, which she described as a game-changer.
“The crowd was amazing; they came out for us and showed up as the eighth player on the court. It’s so exciting to see this level of support for netball in Jamaica. I’ve just been out for a little bit, but look out for me soon,” she declared.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Bashir 'not perfect' despite four-fer against New Zealand
Shoaib Bashir has admitted he’s “not perfect” despite taking four wickets against New Zealand on the opening day of England’s first Test in Christchurch.
He took 4-69 to limit New Zealand to 319-8 at Hagley Oval. Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Nathan Smith and Matt Henry were all caught off his deliveries.
The 21-year-old made his Test debut against India in February and has impressed ever since. He has sent down the most deliveries (2,745) of any bowler in Tests this year – over 500 more than the next-busiest bowler in Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya.
Bashir, however, remains keen to improve despite his shining display in New Zealand.
"I wouldn't say I was disappointed but there was a bit of frustration when I was bowling out in Pakistan," Bashir told the Test Match Special podcast.
"I'm still 21, I've still got a lot of learning to do. I'm just enjoying every moment and I'm just so thankful."
Bashir had an economy of 3.45 on the first day, the third-best of the bowling attack, and bowled 20 overs, the most on the squad.
Only Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah (49) and Ravichandran Ashwin (46) have more wickets than the 45 that Bashir has claimed this year.
"I knew that if I did come on, I'd have a job to do and thankfully, I controlled the run-rate which was handy," said Bashir.
"I was bowling a touch slower but I was focusing on controlling my line with the wind.
"Because the wind was very strong, I was trying to focus on what I needed to do with my body to get the line I needed to bowl, which was outside off.”
His four-fer on the first day means Bashir is just one wicket away from becoming the only spin bowler to ever claim a five-wicket haul at the Hagley Oval.
But the on-loan Worcestershire bowler remains grounded about his abilities.
"I'm learning on the job and I'm not perfect. Two years ago I didn't have a county. I'm just very, very thankful for what has happened over the last year,” Bashir added.
Bashir takes four wickets as England stay competitive in Christchurch
England spinner Shoaib Bashir took four wickets as the tourists kept New Zealand in check on the first day of the first Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The tourists won the toss and elected to field on a green surface, but faced a difficult task with an inspired Kane Williamson (93) top-scoring for the hosts as they finished on 319-8.
It was New Zealand who had the better of the play in the opening two sessions of the day, coming out after tea on 227-4.
But Williamson's wicket, caught off Gus Atkinson, triggered a wobble for the Kiwis, which saw three wickets fall for just 25 runs.
Bashir's deliveries then saw Tom Blundell (17) caught in the off-side and Nathan Smith (three) at leg slip. He also ended a 46-run stand between Glenn Phillips (41*) and Matt Henry (18), with the latter caught, as he added to his earlier wicket of Rachin Ravindra (34).
Frustratingly for England, Phillips had initially been dropped by captain Ben Stokes on a duck and also successfully overturned a dismissal.
But this was a day to celebrate for Bashir, who accredited those above him for his level of performance.
"I wasn't expecting to bowl 20-odd overs and take four wickets on day one, but I knew I had a job to do. Stokesy and Baz [head coach Brendon McCullum] back me 100 per cent and that brings the best out in me," he told Sky Sports
"If I bowl a bad ball there's nothing really, Ben just looks at me and smiles. Even that just gives me so much belief, because I know I can still bowl my best ball. All I was thinking about was trying to take a wicket or create an opportunity.
"I'm not perfect, every day I feel I could play better. But I feel I've developed bowling at some of the best in the world."
Data debrief: Bashir scales new heights
Only Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah (49) and Ravichandran Ashwin (46) have more wickets than the 45 that Bashir has claimed this year.
Having been elevated above Jack Leach as England's first-choice spinner, he has bowled 2,745 Test deliveries in 2024 – over 500 more than the next-busiest bowler in Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya.
Following his performance on day one in Christchurch, he is just one wicket away from becoming the only spin bowler to ever claim a five-wicket haul at the Hagley Oval.
Marler announces retirement from professional rugby
Joe Marler has announced his retirement from professional rugby, revealing he will "finally jump off the rollercoaster" following Harlequins' clash with Bristol Bears on Friday.
The former England prop will bring the curtain down on his decorated career at the age of 34.
Marler has spent his entire club career with Harlequins, winning two Premiership titles, the European Challenge Cup and making over 200 appearances.
He also earned 95 caps for England, who he represented at three World Cups - helping them reach the 2019 final and 2023 semi-finals - while also winning three Six Nations Championships.
"The time has come to finally jump off the rollercoaster and walk away from this beautifully brutal game," he said in a statement. "On Friday night, I'll play my last-ever match for Quins. After all these happy years, it's over.
"I feel lucky to have pulled on the jersey worn by so many idols of mine, and so many better players.
"That's an incredible thing to me. I got to stand alongside so many great players and people that have made this club so special."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
