Mwawi Kumwenda shines Vitality Netball International Series
Star-shooter, Mwawi Kumwenda, was named Malawi national netball team’s best player of the Vitality Netball International Series, despite the Queens suffering three defeats to hosts England’s Roses.
In an interview the Melbourne Vixens’ player dedicated the award to team-mates. Ama Agbeze won a similar award for England.
“It was not about me but team-work,” said Mwawi, who returned to the squad after Netball Association of Malawi had earlier dropped her from the recent tour of Australia for Fast5 Netball World Series.
The Queens lost six consecutive games in Australia; hence, the latest three defeats in England mean that the Mary Waya-coached side has lost nine games on the bounce.
After losing to England 66-60 and 61-53 at Copper Box Arena on Friday and Sunday, respectively, the Queens came with different ideas on Wednesday night at Genting Arena in Birmingham.
However, Malawi blew their three-quarter lead to lose narrowly 62-60.
Waya started with Mwawi and Jane Chimaliro in attack whereas Takondwa Lwazi was deployed at centre-court.
Thandie Galeta was maintained at wing-attack while, in defence, Malawi had skipper Joana Kachilika, Lauren Ngwira and Juliet Sambo.
After a blistering start, the Queens lost speedy centre, Lwazi, to injury and her replacement Rose Mkanda failed to maintain the tempo of the game.
England also panicked and responded by pulling out Kadeen Corbin for her sister, Sasha, whereas Natalie Haythornthwaite was shifted to goal-attack.
At half-time, England reduced Malawi’s lead to trail 31-30.
The Queens brought back Lwazi for Mkanda while Martha Dambo replaced Ngwira in defence. Malawi led narrowly 46-45 in the third-quarter.
The final quarter was full of twists and turns, but a late surge of attack by the hosts proved decisive as they went on to win the match.
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