Grant 'lost for words' on becoming captain

Aug 16, 2016 - 11:14 PM Katrina Grant is "lost for words" after being named New Zealand captain for netball's Quad Series.

Grant, 29, takes over from Casey Kopua who is unavailable following the birth of her first child in May.

Laura Langman has been named vice-captain in a squad featuring three debutants - Storm Purvis, Te Paea Selby-Rickit and Maia Wilson.

"Every time I play for my country it is an absolute honour and to now be given the opportunity to lead the Silver Ferns as their captain alongside Laura - I'm still a little lost for words," Grant said on Wednesday.

"It is an amazing feeling and one I'm not sure will sink in until we stand arm-in-arm for the first Test to sing the national anthem."

Wilson, a shooter, who played her first season of trans-Tasman netball with the Central Pulse this year, is the only real bolter.

She joins Bailey Mes, Ameliaranne Ekenasio (nee Wells) and fellow newcomer Selby-Rickit in an attack missing injured veteran Maria Tutaia (foot).

Purvis joins a strong defensive unit of Grant, Anna Harrison and Phoenix Karaka after Leana de Bruin announced her retirement earlier Wednesday morning.

"There is an experienced core in this Silver Ferns team and a number of new faces who will continue to build and shape the team as we head towards the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup (in Liverpool in 2019)," new coach Janine Southby said.

The New Zealanders will face England, South Africa and Australia in next week's Quad Series before tussling with Jamaica in the Taini Jamison Trophy.

Meanwhile, former Silver Ferns shooter Cathrine Tuivaiti was named in the New Zealand A squad for warm-up matches against the visiting international teams.

NZ squad: Kayla Cullen, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant (capt), Anna Harrison, Phoenix Karaka, Laura Langman (vice-captain), Bailey Mes, Storm Purvis, Grace Rasmussen, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson.

NZA squad: Jamie Hume, Ellen Halpenny, Cathrine Tuivaiti, Monica Falkner, Gina Crampton, Erikana Pederson, Jamie-Lee Price, Sam Sinclair, Kelly Jury, Jane Watson, Jess Moulds, Holly Fowler.

Source: AAP