# 2021 Taini Jamison Trophy Series

The 2021 Taini Jamison Trophy Series, also known as the 2021 Cadbury Netball Series, was the 12th Taini Jamison Trophy series. It featured New Zealand playing England in three netball test matches, played in September 2021. All three tests were played at Christchurch Arena. New Zealand won the opening test 48–42. However, England won the series 2–1 after winning the final two tests, 55–45 and 49–45 respectively. In both the second and third tests, England launched second half comebacks before emerging as winners. It was the first time that England had won a series in New Zealand and the first time they won the Taini Jamison Trophy. The England team were coached by Jess Thirlby and captained by Serena Guthrie. The series was broadcast live on Sky Sport in New Zealand and on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In New Zealand, TVNZ 2 also broadcast the matches with a one hour delay.

## Impact of COVID-19 pandemic

Both New Zealand and England found their preparations for the series disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. New Zealand's preparations for the series were disrupted by alert levels, which prevented players from training together before the series. The New Zealand team only had three days preparation before the series started. Four Auckland-based players, Gina Crampton, Sulu Fitzpatrick, Peta Toeava and Grace Nweke were given special dispensation by New Zealand's Ministry of Health, allowing them to travel to Christchurch. However New Zealand's coaching staff were not permitted to travel and New Zealand had to assemble a new set of South Island-based coaching staff especially for the series. Travel restrictions also prevented four of England's Suncorp Super Netball players – Natalie Haythornthwaite, Stacey Francis-Bayman, Helen Housby and Jo Harten – from travelling to New Zealand. The England team also had to spend time in quarantine before the series.
Both New Zealand and England were also due to play Australia in October 2021. New Zealand were due to defend the Constellation Cup. However both series' were subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Squads
### New Zealand

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#### Captaincy

Ahead of the series, Gina Crampton was named captain. She subsequently captained New Zealand for the first test. However she sat out the second test with a hip strain and Sulu Fitzpatrick assumed the captaincy for the second test. However, Fitzpatrick also became injured, so Samantha Winders captained New Zealand for the third test.

#### Debuts

* Tiana Metuarau made her senior debut for New Zealand in the first test & earned Player of the Match.
* Grace Nweke made her senior debut for New Zealand in the second test.
* Georgia Tong made her senior debut for New Zealand in the third test.

### England

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## Matches
### First Test

| 20 September 2021 19:30 NZT | Stats | New Zealand | 48–42 | England |
| 20 September 2021 19:30 NZT | Stats | Maia Wilson 31/39 (79%) Tiana Metuarau 17/19 (89%) | | George Fisher 22/23 (96%) Eleanor Cardwell 16/22 (73%) Sophie Drakeford-Lewis 4/4 (100%) |
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### Second Test

| 22 September 2021 19:30 NZT | New Zealand | 45–55 | England |
| 22 September 2021 19:30 NZT | Grace Nweke 16/20 (80%) Te Paea Selby-Rickit 15/18 (83%) Tiana Metuarau 9/10 (90%) Maia Wilson 5/7 (71%) | | George Fisher 45/47 (96%) Sophie Drakeford-Lewis 9/9 (100%) Eleanor Cardwell 1/4 (25%) |
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### Third Test

| 24 September 2021 19:30 NZT | New Zealand | 45–49 | England |
| 24 September 2021 19:30 NZT | Maia Wilson 29/33 (88%) Te Paea Selby-Rickit 16/20 (80%) | | Eleanor Cardwell 25/26 (96%) George Fisher 13/16 (81%) Sophie Drakeford-Lewis 11/12 (92%) |
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