National anthem before Silver Ferns v Uganda, Netball Nations Cup match in Leeds, England on 28 January 2024. Photo: www.photosport.nz
The Silver Ferns have dropped to third in the latest World Netball rankings, with England leapfrogging them off the back of their recent 2-1 series victory in New Zealand.
In World Netball's updated rankings there are now just two rating points separating England, New Zealand and Jamaica.
The Roses have gained two rating points to now sit on 189 into 2nd place, the Silver Ferns are on 188 and the fourth ranked Jamaicans are on 187 points.
The World Champions Australia hold a clear advantage at the top on 209 points.
The England Roses won the first two Tests in the Taini Jamison series against New Zealand two weeks ago, before the Silver Ferns claimed the third Test.
In the 12 Tests played between New Zealand and England since 2022 - the Roses have a 7-5 winning record.
The last time the Silver Ferns went through an extended period of struggle, it saw them slump to fourth in the world rankings.
That followed their fourth placed finish at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018 which meant they dropped to third in the world for the first time.
When they headed to the 2019 Netball World Cup the Ferns had fallen to fourth in the world rankings - their lowest position since the rankings system was introduced to international netball in 2008.
The Silver Ferns climbed back to second in the world after their stunning World Cup victory in 2019.
The World Ranking update includes all results from matches up until and including the 6th October, meaning results from the England-Australia Series and have also been included.
The Silver Ferns start their four-test Constellation Cup series against Australia on Sunday.
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