KINGSTON, Jamaica – The highly anticipated Horizon Vitality Series between Jamaica and England is in danger of being cancelled as the Caribbean island continues to pick up the pieces left behind by Hurricane Melissa.

According to reports by The Gleaner, Netball Jamaica and the England Netball Association have been locked in high-level discussions regarding the possible cancellation of the four-match series due to the extensive damage sustained during the hurricane.

The series was set to feature two home games for Jamaica at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston on December 6 and 7, followed by two away fixtures at the Copper Box Arena in London, England, on December 13 and 14.

Jamaica’s Sunshine Girls were already facing selection challenges heading into the series, as several of their top players made themselves unavailable for personal and professional reasons.

It is understood that captain Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, along with Romelda Aiken-George, Shimona Nelson-Jok, and Latanya Wilson, have all withdrawn from the squad, while Shamera Sterling-Humphrey recently gave birth and Jodi-Ann Ward is recovering from surgery.

Their unavailability would have left the Sunshine Girls severely short-handed for the series, which was expected to serve as preparation for next year’s Netball World Cup qualifiers.

The Sunshine Girls won last year’s inaugural Horizon Vitality Series 2–1.

CMC