KEY POINTS:
A Silver Ferns side in possible decline and missing a key attacking player offer Jamaican captain Elaine Davis cold comfort ahead of a two-test series opener in Christchurch tomorrow night.
Davis, who debuted as a raw 18-year-old at the 1995 world championships in Birmingham, reckoned she had been
around long enough not to discount the reigning titleholders.
The "Sunshine Girls" lost back-to-back tests against Australia last week and the goal shoot expected it would be difficult to become the third team to erode the Silver Ferns' confidence ahead of the November world championships in Auckland.
"I've always admired New Zealand's ability to come back - or play in adverse circumstances," said Davis, who played in Jamaica's solitary victory over New Zealand in 39 matches, at Kingston in 2002.
Since then the Silver Ferns have won six on the trot, most recently at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where they won their semifinal by a 20-goal margin.
But the Ferns have arguably lost their lustre.
Their first loss to England in 32 years - a 45-50 loss in May - and subsequent three-goal defeat by Australia raised serious questions about New Zealand's ability to take advantage of home court later this year.
Add in centre Temepara George's shock withdrawal from the five-test programme against Jamaica and Australia this month, plus doubts over Irene van Dyk's shooting prowess after a subdued tour of England, and the Ferns' outlook is not as bright as 12 months ago.
However, Davis kept any enthusiasm well hidden after her team's first training session yesterday.
"I don't see this as a good time to play New Zealand. Even with Temepara not there, New Zealand have plenty of depth and you can guarantee someone will contribute for her," Davis said.
The veteran goal shoot was also taken aback at the criticism directed at the 34-year-old van Dyk.
"Experience means a lot. In Jamaica we say you reel, and come again ...
"The focus is on her because of her position, she's the shooter but you have to get the ball to her.
"She's still the number one shooter in the world."
Meanwhile, Davis intimated she was in the process of relinquishing her mantle as Jamaica's No 1 as teenage sensation Romelda Aiken offered a glimpse to the future during the series loss to Australia.
Elevated to the senior team for the first time in Melbourne after Davis was ruled out with a knee injury, the 1.91m former goalkeep nailed 38 of 40 attempts as the Jamaicans were held at bay 66-62.
The 18-year-old was even more prolific in Sydney, contributing 45 of her side's goals in a 53-72 defeat.
Those stats indicate it will be difficult to deny Aiken significant court time against the Silver Ferns although the New Zealand defenders are taller than Australia duo Liz Ellis and Bianca Chatfield so the rookie may have less latitude.
Even so Davis, who usually shares the shooting load with vice-captain Simone Forbes, admitted Aiken was a necessity during the series which ends in Auckland on Saturday.
"I'm kind of going out, she's coming in. You've got her height there, why not use it?"
- NZPA
