15 Oct 2013

One new cap in Silver Ferns side to play Malawi

2:33 pm on 15 October 2013

There's just one new cap in the New Zealand netball squad selected for the three test series against Malawi at the end of the month.

The Pulse mid-courter Katarina Cooper, who was part of the Silver Ferns wider training group ahead of the recent Constellation Cup series against Australia, has been included in the side.

Missing from the 4-1 series loss to Australia though are midcourters Anna Thompson and Courtney Tairi.

It's the first time the Silver Ferns will have played Malawi in the seven-a-side format in six years.

The two side's last met in the 2007 world cup in Auckland when the Silver Ferns won 85-26.

Malawi's goal shoot Mwai Kumwenda has signed with the Canterbury Tactix for next years' trans-Tasman competition.

The first test against Malawi, who're ranked fifth in the world, is in Wellington a week on Thursday.

The full squad is: Casey Kopua (captain), Laura Langman, Maria Tutaia, Jodi Brown, Irene van Dyk, Cathrine Latu, Joline Henry, Te Huinga Reo Selby-Rickit, Katarina Cooper, Shannon Francois, Leana de Bruin and Katrina Grant.