Netball: Injury forces Ferns to juggle midcourt

Canterbory's Maree Bowden could return to the Silver Ferns' starting side. Photo / Martin Sykes

Following on from Australia's well-documented horror run of injuries, the Silver Ferns have had some casualties of their own to contend with in the lead-up to tonight's second test in Melbourne.

Dynamic midcourter Liana Barrett-Chase is out after suffering a calf strain in the late stages of Sunday's 53-50 win over Australia in Sydney. She returned to New Zealand yesterday after team management decided to also scratch her from Sunday's third test in Brisbane.

It is hoped Barrett-Chase will be fit for the New Zealand leg of the series later in the month.

The injury blow is a frustrating setback for coach Ruth Aitken as it forces the break-up of the midcourt pairing of Temepara George and Barrett-Chase, just as they were finding their feet.

But Aitken is mindful the injury toll in the Australian camp is much worse.

"I can't really grizzle about it since Norma's had a couple," she laughed.

The absence of Barrett-Chase leaves New Zealand with some tough decisions in the midcourt. They could go for a straight swap and bring in Canterbury's Maree Bowden as the starting wing attack. While this option causes the least disruption, Bowden has struggled at times to make the step up to international netball.

The other option is a complete midcourt reshuffle, shifting George forward to wing attack, with Laura Langman moving to centre and newcomer Larissa Willcox slotting in at wing defence.

Wendy Telfer, who was called in to the side to replace Barrett-Chase, can also cover the wing defence and centre positions.

"It challenges us to ensure that we're not relying on one option. We're wanting to develop the capability of this team and we just have to take it is as positive that we have the opportunity to get another player out there," said Aitken.

Diamonds coach Norma Plummer expects to bring back Natalie von Bertouch into the line-up. The Australian vice-captain missed Sunday's opening test with a chest injury, but Plummer said all signs point to von Bertouch being available.

Yesterday's injury news may have swung favouritism back the home side's way as New Zealand attempt to win back-to-back tests on Australian soil for the first time since 1981.

Certainly, Plummer felt confident her side could improve after they put up six more shots than the Ferns in Sydney, but only hit 76 per cent to Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia's 84 per cent. And the return of von Bertouch in the middle only further boosts Plummer's claims they can topple the Kiwis.

But New Zealand defender Katrina Grant believes there is plenty more room for growth in the Ferns as well.

"I think we've got just as much improvement to be made as they have. We're still developing our game at the moment and every game we're looking to move forward," said Grant.