6 Oct 2010

Silver Ferns thump Cook Islands

7:42 am on 6 October 2010

The Silver Ferns have scored another big win at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.

Irene van Dyk was the centre of attention in New Zealand's 87-24 victory over the Cook Islands.

The match was special because it gave van Dyk her record 111th test cap for New Zealand, pushing her to the top of the list ahead of Lesley Rumball.

Van Dyk's mark is all the more astonishing because before she immigrated to New Zealand in 2000, she had logged 72 appearances for South Africa. Her total of 183 test caps is the world record.

New Zealand led 24-8 at quarter-time, by which time goal shoot van Dyk had notched a perfect 15 from 15 record.... the 38-year-old was rested for the second spell, then reappeared for a further 15 minutes at goal attack as Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken took the chance to give all her squad except midcourter ailing Temepara George more court time.

George is suffering from an inner ear infection, which affects her balance.

New Zealand's next match against the other top side in their group, England on Thursday.