North netball pair Claire Maxwell and Sarah MacPhail have been named in the Scotland squad to take part in a four-nation series in South Africa.
The Scottish Thistles will fly out to Pretoria to take on the host nation, Zimbabwe and a President’s XII between November 22 and 26.
Turriff’s Maxwell captained the side at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with MacPhail, who hails from Orkney, also in the squad.
Tamsin Greenway’s side are looking to build on their impressive showing in the World Cup qualifiers last month.
Scotland secured a place at the World Cup – due to take place in Cape Town next August – after winning four out of their five qualifiers in Glasgow last month.
They will now have a chance to test themselves against the World Cup hosts, who came sixth at the Games this summer.
“In a World Cup year it’s about cementing combinations as well as bringing together a group who are challenging each other, pushing the boundaries and showing us what they can do under pressure,” said Greenway. “Being able to take 14 players gives us another shot to do that and keeps competition for places in the squad.
“What we’re really pushing at the Thistles and what you are seeing across the world, is that no one operates on a 12 (size of the squad) anymore, let alone just a seven. We have to look at every possibility. What if one of your key players goes down before the World Cup, who else have you brought through?
“There are times to give players opportunities and this South Africa tour is a chance to do this. It’s about who’s putting their hand up to be looked at next, including players like Cerys Finn who is shining in our pathway.
“Players like Emma Love and Sarah McPhail are back in that mix; they had the disappointment of sitting out the World Cup Qualifiers but their response was incredible and they’ve worked hard behind-the-scenes for this next opportunity.”
