2015 Netball World Cup Preview
The 2015 Netball World Cup, which will be the 14th edition of the championships, will start in Sydney on the 7th of August. The tournament, which was previously known as the World Netball Championships up until the last edition in 2011, features 16 nations.
The home nation Australia automatically qualified along with the next five highest ranked teams from the earlier edition – New Zealand, England, Jamaica, Malawi and South Africa. The remaining ten teams were decided from the regional qualifying tournaments.
The qualified teams are divided into four pools with the top two in each group advancing to the top tier while the bottom two move to the second tier. From then, the teams move on to the knock-outs, semifinal and final.
It is difficult to think beyond hosts Australia as favorites for the title. After all, they have won 10 of the 13 previous titles (one of them shared). Their sustained global dominance over many years and the vocal home support makes it hard to think they will come unstuck.
At the same time, the pressure may make the Diamonds uncomfortable and coach Lisa Alexander wants her side to be completely aware of it. Alexander wants her side to make it a hat-trick of titles and at odds of $1.35 at Ladbrokes, they are massive favourites.
The biggest challenge for the Diamonds will come from the Silver Ferns of New Zealand, although they have a pretty dismal record against them. The two rivals will play in the group stage and will not cross paths after that until the final, if everything happens to plan. At odds of $3.75 at Ladbrokes, New Zealand is the second-favoured team to lift the title and add to their kitty of four world titles (one shared).
England may present a bigger threat this year and the coach Tracey Neville will hope to live up to expectations back home. England is the perennial underachievers in Netball having won only one silver medal so far. Odds of $7.50 at Ladbrokes on England look enticing but a bet on their win is as fickle as an English summer. Much will depend on the form of their star defender Geva Mentor.
Jamaica is definitely the underdogs of the competition. The Sunshile girls are ranked fourth and will look to upset the applecart of many. Experienced goal attack Sasher Gaye Henry continues to be their lynchpin. Odds of $19.00 at Ladbrokes looks to offer some good value on a Jamaican victory.
All the matches will be played at Allphones Arena from August 7th. When the curtains fall on August 16th, we will have a winner. Only time will tell if the locals will be the ones raising the trophy.
