Netball: It's a tall order for Barbados

By JULIE ASH

Barbados will leave it until the last minute to decide whether 1.93m Laurel Browne will take the court against the Silver Ferns in the third and final test at the North Shore Events Centre tonight.

The 25-year-old injured her back in training before the first test and it was initially thought she would miss the entire series.

But Barbados manager Annette Beckett said yesterday that Browne was back training and the decision on whether she would play would be made later today.

If she were to play, Browne would be the tallest player on court - edging out Silver Fern Daneka Wipiiti, who stands at 1.92m.

Able to turn out at goal shoot and goal keep, Browne is likely to play defence.

Although she has only three caps, Browne will strengthen the Barbados line-up which is struggling to cope with the Ferns' huge height advantage.

New Zealand thrashed Barbados 88-27 and 87-35 in the first two tests, but coach Ruth Aitken believes there is still plenty to work on before the Commonwealth Games.

"There is still a high error rate and occasionally our speed gets away from us. When we gain a turnover I'd like to see a bit more control."

Aitken has used the series to try out a number of combinations.

" The players are really starting to read each others' play, but understandably it is not going to happen overnight."

Recalled midcourter Anna Rowberry has been one of the standout players in the series, proving she can control her speed and passes into the shooters.

After the series Barbados will play three matches against the New Zealand A team, in Palmerston North, Taupo and Tauranga on Friday, Sunday and Monday.

Tonight's match is the first test to be held at the North Shore Events Centre.