Netball’s premier international tournament, the Vitality Netball World Cup, begins tonight, live and exclusive from England at 7.30pm on 9Gem, 9Go! and 9Now.
The 2019 World Cup promises to be the hottest contest to date, with any of five strong teams in contention for the title: Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa and Jamaica.
Joining these teams in the 16-nation tournament are Malawi, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Fiji, Samoa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Caitlin Bassett will lead Australia in the tournament at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, as the Diamonds aim for four World Cup titles in a row.
Australia will meet Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in their first three games this weekend, hoping for a winning treble to set them up for perfectly for the next three rounds.
Former Australian World Cup champions Liz Ellis and Cath Cox will lead Nine’s Netball World Cup coverage in commentary.
Liz Ellis, who captained the Diamonds to win the World Cup in 2007, said: “I think the top five teams in this World Cup are very evenly matched, although Australia are ranked the favourites. While this weekend’s triple-header pits the Diamonds against three of the outsiders, the World Cup can produce surprise results and Australia will need to stay sharp.”
Nine’s Wide World of Sports will broadcast every Australian Diamonds game, commencing at 7.30pm tonight, Friday, July 12. All other games throughout the tournament will be available on 9Now.
