By: Matt Choi

England made a historic victory where they beat defending champion, New Zealand, and they faced the first Netball world cup final with Australia. The match was close but England beat New Zealand 46-40 in the Semi-Final. Australia beat Jamaica 57-54 in the Semi-Final.

Australia is the 11-time world cup champion and they have always been in the world cup final. However, they will face a difficult test from England who did well to defend against New Zealand’s attack. England will compete for the biggest title after the 2018 Netball commonwealth games when they beat Australia.

The team received criticism, however, because they didn’t do well in 2018 and in their games in Bellingham. Jess Thirlby became a new coach after Thirlby made new suggestions for the team. The team had focused on developing 12 players. They are proud that they can make it and have become mentally strong with wins and losses. Natalie Metcalf said they have no regrets. They want to maintain what they did in their entire tournament.

England did a good job but they have to work more. They still have to beat Australia in the final tournament. Both teams had impenetrable defenses but England scored in the last two minutes and beat New Zealand by a slim lead. Fans had crowed that England will go to the final. The English players were so happy that some players even cried. On Saturday, Australia also won Jamaica with a slim lead. Now, Australia will face England and want to take a victory.