By Suzanne McFadden
It looks as though the Silver Ferns will play three tests in four days against Jamaica's top netballers.
And it's no wonder New Zealand coach Yvonne Willering never received a Jamaican team list - there still isn't one.
On their arrival in Kingston yesterday, the New Zealanders discovered that the
home team had not been picked. Yet the first official test is on Saturday.
The Silver Ferns went to a welcoming function with the Jamaicans last night, only to find a national squad, but no team.
A bemused Willering asked Jamaican coach Maureen Boyle who she intended to play in the series, but Boyle had yet to make up her mind.
It appears that Boyle will use tomorrow's game, the Silver Ferns against a Jamaican selection, as a player trial.
In effect, New Zealand will be playing Jamaica. So Willering will treat it as a test match.
"We're definitely going into this as a three-test series now," Willering said.
"I think Maureen would like to wait to name her 12 until the night of the test. But we will make them put it down on paper, hopefully tomorrow."
You would have to question whether the Jamaicans are taking this international series a little lightly. But Willering points out: "We invited ourselves at the last minute. And I'm sure the games will be well organised."
Willering recognised a few of the Jamaican players at last night's welcome, including veteran shooter Connie Francis.
But the Jamaicans have been struggling to hold on to players this season.
"They're losing them to basketball and pregnancy," Willering said. "It's quite a young squad - there's a 17-year-old in there.
"But I still refuse to underestimate them. They want a taste of New Zealand after beating Australia last year. They're aware that they've never taken New Zealand."
Jamaica have an advantage over the Ferns - they have been playing competitive netball since November. This is the New Zealanders' first touch of the ball since the Commonwealth Games in September.
They will have a run on the new wooden surface in Kingston's National Stadium today to limber up for tomorrow's match.
