The Silver Ferns series against Jamaica has been delayed, after the West Indian team failed to arrive in New Zealand on schedule.
Initially due to begin on Saturday, the series will now start on Sunday, with the second test on Monday, both at Hamilton. The third and final test will be played next Wednesday at Auckland.
Jamaica were to arrive in New Zealand on Friday, but those plans have been delayed, after the team did not received their passports back from Washington, after visas were issued.
"We are keeping to schedule, keeping our head down and making sure we can do the controllables," said Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua. "That’s cliché, but that's all we can worry about at this stage - getting ourselves best prepped."
Said NZ midcourt Maddy Gordon: "OK, well, I was out of the loop. I didn't even know they weren’t here yet, so it hasn’t been in my mind."
Netball NZ is exploring alternative options, should the situation not be resolved by Friday.
"Obviously, we're extremely disappointed not to be able to start the Cadbury Netball Series as scheduled on Saturday in Hamilton," said chief commercial officer David Cooper. "We are working hard to accommodate the changes by moving this match to the Monday.
"I know our netball fans are looking forward to watching live international netball, which was signalled with a sellout crowd for the opening match.
"We're looking forward to seeing these teams go head-to-head for the prestigious Taini Jamison Trophy."
On Wednesday, Jamaica named a weakened squad to travel to New Zealand, with only three players returning from their Commonwealth Games campaign earlier this year.
The 'Sunshine Girls' claimed silver at Birmingham, defeating New Zealand in the semi-final, before losing to Australia in the gold-medal match.
Join us at 4pm Sunday for live updates of the first Silver Ferns v Jamaica Taini Jamison Trophy test
