Watch the opening fixture of the three-match series, live on Sky Sports Action, from 7.30pm
Friday 24 November 2017 19:39, UK
England will face Malawi in a three-match Vitality Netball International Series beginning on Friday at London's Copper Box, live on Sky Sports.
Tracey Neville's side, ranked third in the world, will conclude their 2017 international campaign on home soil as they continue their preparations for next year's Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia.
The Roses, captained by Ama Agbeze, head into the series against the Queens on the back of winning the Fast5 World Series title in Australia last month.
England saw off the challenge of surprise-package Jamaica while home favourites Australia and defending champions New Zealand were left to battle for 3rd and 4th place.
Malawi, who lost all six games in the Fast5 World Series, are ranked sixth in the world rankings and despite their lack of recent form remain a tough prospect, under the leadership of head coach Mary Waya.
Neville saw her team claim a resounding 43-15 success in Melbourne while Malawi suffered narrow defeats to South Africa and New Zealand during the faster format of the sport which features five players on the court, compared with seven in normal netball competition.
England ran out comfortable winners when the two sides last met in an international series, back in 2014, when the Roses secured emphatic victories to claim a comfortable 2-0 series victory.
The Copper Box Arena in London will play host to the first two games of the series before both sides then move to the Genting Arena in Birmingham for the third and final meeting.
The Roses squad:
Ama Agbeze (captain), Jade Clarke (vice-captain), Eleanor Cardwell, Beth Cobden, Kadeen Corbin, Sasha Corbin, Rachel Dunn, Jodie Gibson, Natalie Haythornthwaite, Josie Huckle, Vicki Oyesola, Natalie Panagarry.
Malawi squad:
Juliet Sambo, Joanna Kachilika, Martha Dambo, Wezzie Mzembe, Kukoma Diamonds, Lauren Ngwira-Tigresses, Takondwa Lwazi, Thandie Galeta, Rose Nkanda, Mwai Kumwenda, Joyce Mvula, Jane Chimaliro-Civonets, Jessica Mazengera Sanudi.
Watch England meet Malawi in a three-match Vitality Netball International Series, live on Sky Sports, from 7.30pm on Friday, November 24.
And follow the 2018 Vitality Superleague season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/Netball also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkyNetball
The regular season league home and away matches run from February to June, culminating in semi-finals and a Grand Final to determine the league champion.
