Silver Fern Lesley Nicol is unavailable for New Zealand's three-match series against world champions Australia next month.
Nicol, the most-capped New Zealand representative with 76 matches for her country, has withdrawn from consideration because the series clashes with her fifth-year medical examinations.
"This is one of the hardest decisions I have had
to make in netball," wing defence and former national captain Nicol said yesterday. "I would have loved to have another go at the Australians in October, but this set of exams are the most important in my medical study so far and I need to focus on them.
"I could have only played the first test, but Netball New Zealand required a greater commitment."
After five years studying to be a doctor, Nicol's exams mark the final tests before her trainee internship and are vital to her career. Silver Ferns coach Yvonne Willering said she respected and understood Nicol's commitment to her studies.
"Our focus at the moment is on winning the Fisher and Paykel series," she said. "For that we need 12 totally committed players for the stability of the team.
"Lesley's unavailability for this series does not rule her out of contention for the New Zealand squad or for selection for the Commonwealth Games next year."
The Australian series starts in Wellington on October 20, with the other tests at Invercargill on October 24 and Christchurch on October 27. The New Zealand squad will be named next Saturday.
- NZPA
