Editors PickNational Sports
Malawi Queens to face hosts Australia
Malawi Queens’ resolve to break into the world top four would be under the microscope as the team kick start their international Test Series tour with a tie against Australia’s Diamonds today at Wollongong Entertainment Centre.
Australians are flying high after defeating their arch rivals New Zealand 4-1 on Sunday in the Constellation Cup series of five.
However, the Diamonds are still wary of the Queens [ranked 1st in Africa] and they believe there is still work to do ahead of the match.
“We took a brief moment to acknowledge our Constellation Cup achievement [Sunday night] as a group but we know our job isn’t done yet with the two-Tests against the Malawi Queens,” coach Lisa Alexander is quoted as saying byNetball.com.au.
“The challenge for us is to back up and adapt to Malawi’s unique style while maintaining our intensity and development in our last international series before next year’s Commonwealth Games.
“At the beginning of our domestic international season we set our sights on winning all five Tests on home soil so we’ve still got work ahead of us beginning on Wednesday night in Wollongong.”
The Australians, who claimed their fourth consecutive win over New Zealand for the first time in 15 years, must now back up from the hard fought five-Test Constellation Cup series with a two-Test series against Malawi.
Australia have only played the African nation on three previous occasions, with the last meeting coming at the 2011 World Netball Championships, where the Diamonds defeated Malawi 58-44.
“We can’t afford to get complacent because Malawi play an exciting brand of netball, their unique style and creative flair makes it difficult to predict and defend against,” Alexander said.
The two sides square up against each other on Saturday at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. The tour would also see Malawi Queens taking part in Fast5 World Series and Test Series against St Fiji.
Netball Association of Malawi (Nam) president Rose Chinunda said has told the local media that the Queens were beaming with confidence and were set to impress.
Malawi will be without key players shooter Sindie Simtowe, defender Grace Mwafulirwa and centre court Beatrice Mpinganjira, all from Tigresses.
The squad in Australia includes captain Caroline Mtukule, Joanna Kachilika, Towera Vinkhumbo, Jessie Mazengera, Tina Kamzati, Takondwa Lwazi, BridgetKumwenda, Martha Dambo, Joyce Mvula, Jane Chimaliro and Mwawi Kumwenda.
love you the Queens
Nyengu zosi vingayendapecha! team kuti iwini vitendezgana ndi ma-player womagwirisiya ntchitu panyenguyo. ma-Queens mphataliiiiiiiiiiiii
As an Australian Diamonds(and Adelaide Thunderbirds) fan, I greatly enjoyed the tests between the Diamonds and the Queens and marveled at the Queens improvement over the series. The Queens may have lost on the scoreboard but the won the hearts of Australian netball fans. The courage, flair, strength, determination and skill of the Malawi girls was thrilling to behold. I believe that, if you had sent a full team, you would have won victories in Australia and NZ. You have established yourselves as a force to be reckoned with at the Commonwealth Games. I wish the Queens good fortune and the success they deserve.