The start of the Cadbury Netball Series between the Silver Ferns and Jamaican Sunshine Girls has been delayed and there's no guarantees it will go ahead.
New Zealand's Maia Wilson and Jamiaca's Shamera Sterling. Netball Semi Final. Jamaica v New Zealand Silver Ferns. Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Saturday 6 August 2022. © Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
The Jamaicans were scheduled to arrive in New Zealand tomorrow, but their arrival has now been pushed back due to the team not receiving their passports back from Washington after their visas were issued.
The two teams were set to play the first Test for the Taini Jamison Trophy in Hamilton on Saturday but the three-match series is now set to begin on Sunday with the second Test to be played on Monday at the same venue.
The series is due to conclude in Auckland next Wednesday.
It appeared the Jamaican side was cutting it fine when they only named their team for the series yesterday.
Only three of the players from the recent Commonwealth Games silver medal victory were named in the side.
Netball New Zealand is also looking at alternative options if the passport issue is not resolved overnight.
Jamaican team officials were still working through their passport complications and Netball New Zealand chief commercial officer David Cooper said they were working closely with the visitors to ensure the Commonwealth Games silver medallists arrive as soon as possible.
"Obviously we're extremely disappointed not to be able to start the Cadbury Netball Series as scheduled on Saturday in Hamilton but 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 sell-out crowd for the opening match. We're looking forward to seeing these teams go head-to-head for the prestigious Taini Jamison Trophy."
President of Netball Jamaica Tricia Robinson said they had been working hard to get their travel issues sorted.
"We hope that our passport issues can be resolved as soon as possible, and the Sunshine Girls can get on court for the series against the Silver Ferns," she said.
Jamaica, who beat the Silver Ferns in Birmingham earlier this year, will be captained by experienced shooter Shimona Nelson for the three-match Cadbury Netball Series.
Fans who have tickets for what was a sell-out Test on Saturday can automatically use their tickets for the rescheduled match at 7:30pm on Monday.
If customers are unable to attend the new date they will be able to obtain a full refund. All ticket purchasers will receive an email from Ticketek with further details.