England shooter Cardwell to miss Jamaica series

Shooter Eleanor Cardwell will miss England's four-match series against Jamaica in November.

Jess Thirlby's side face the Sunshine Girls on 16 and 17 November at Manchester's AO Arena before playing them on 25 and 26 November in Kingston, Jamaica.

Cardwell, 29, has not played since the first Test of the three-match series against Australia last month, a series which the Roses lost 2-1.

She also missed the 2-1 series win over New Zealand earlier this month, along with wing attack Natalie Metcalf, who remains sidelined with a medical issue.

The series is a new addition to the international calendar, with this the inaugural edition.

Head coach Thirlby said: "To have established a new ground-breaking series against Jamaica will not only prove valuable to our own preparations for the Netball World Cup in 2027 and beyond but also adds what will be a hotly anticipated series to the international calendar between two nations with aspirations to challenge the world order in the years to come.

"This will be a brilliant opportunity for us to strengthen both our understanding and experience of the dynamic Jamaican style of play, full of flair, speed and athleticism. I'm really looking forward to what will be an incredible match up."

Defender Halimat Adio has been called up via the P3 route, which allows athletes who are not part of the full-time Roses programme because of work or studies to be selected.

Thirlby has otherwise stuck with the same squad that triumphed in New Zealand with shooters Helen Housby and Liv Tchine featuring alongside defender Funmi Fadoju and captain Fran Williams.

Following their series victory over the Silver Ferns the Roses have moved up to second in the world rankings, behind world and Commonwealth champions Australia.

World Cup bronze medallists Jamaica are fourth in the world rankings.

Defenders: Halimat Adio, Funmi Fadoju, Alice Harvey, Razia Quashie, Fran Williams

Mid-court: Imogen Allison, Amy Carter, Beth Cobden, Hannah Joseph, Ellie Rattu, Jess Shaw

Shooters: Helen Housby, Berri Neil, Lois Pearson, Liv Tchine