Claire Kersten contests the ball with England's Helen Housby. Photo / Photosport
The Silver Ferns ranks continue to grow after Pulse midcourter Claire Kersten made an unexpected appearance in today's test loss to England.
Kersten, who was plucked from the New Zealand development squad to provide defensive cover for the second test of the Taini Jamison series, became Silver Fern No. 168
when she took the court at wing defence in the second half of the Ferns 49-46 loss to the Roses.
With three specialist goal keepers selected for the England series, it has left coach Janine Southby light on cover in the goal defence and wing defence positions, prompting the decision to bring Kersten in to bolster their options. While Kersten's inclusion was only announced last night on the eve of the test, Southby said the possibility of including the 26-year-old science teacher had been in their plans for a while.
"It's sort of been there for a couple of days - we've just kept it to ourselves for a few days - so it wasn't really late notice," said Southby.
"It's always been in the plans that we've been talking about and there were a couple of niggles within the group we were just covering and now Claire has had an opportunity and I think she made a good fist of her first international match."
