Netball: Cox a trumpcard for Australians

1.00pm - By CHRIS BARCLAY

SYDNEY - Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken expects former New Zealander Catherine Cox to play a pivotal role in the upcoming three-test trans-Tasman netball series.

The 1.87m goal shoot, who missed New Zealand's 3-0 clean sweep over Australia in July because of an ankle injury, was one of the first names pencilled into Norma Plummer's 15-strong Australian squad.

Cox, 28, is Australia's main shooting option in the injury-enforced absence of the prolific Sharelle McMahon, and has also been handed the vice-captaincy.

Her combination with McMahon was sorely missed in New Zealand four months ago and thankfully for Plummer she stayed injury-free through the Australian domestic competition before helping propel New South Wales to the interstate title three weeks ago.

"She's had a great year," Aitken said of the Cox, who has played 38 tests.

"This year's been her best and no doubt she'll be looking to make her mark out there."

Plummer has included five goal shooters in her squad but Aitken expects Cox and Victorian Cynna Neele to initially team up in the goal circle when the series starts at the Sydney Superdome on Saturday.

The pair's experience -- Neele has 19 caps -- was behind Aitken's reasoning although she admitted she had not seen them play together extensively.

"There could be a question mark about how they work together. I'm not sure if they combine well and if they don't work she (Plummer) will fall back on Catherine and Megan Anderson because they've been so successful for New South Wales and the Sydney Swifts this year."

Aitken also has to settle on who will play the support role to Irene Van Dyk.

With Belinda Colling pregnant and Donna Loffhagen playing basketball in Canberra, Jodi Te Huna and Angela Mitchell -- who have 10 caps between them -- are vying for the goal attack bib.

Te Huna played the first half of the Silver Ferns' 53-46, third test win at Hamilton in July, shooting 67 per cent before Van Dyk was introduced to overhaul a six-goal deficit.

Although Te Huna and Mitchell "have been making great strides" Aitken acknowledged there would be even more pressure on Van Dyk, and her teammates needed to ensure she was not a one-woman band.

"Irene's got broad shoulders that's for sure but I think it's up to everyone to step up to the mark of those around them.

"The likes of Adine (Wilson) and Temepara (Clark) they need to take on a strong leadership role as well."

New Zealand were to have their first training session today and then have practice matches against a New South Wales Invitation side tomorrow and Thursday to complete their preparations.

- NZPA