Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

Jamaica's Sunshine Girls will look to confirm their status as a serious threat to one of netball's top two spots, when they start battling against world leaders Australia at the National Indoor Sports Centre today, as the National Commercial Bank-sponsored Sunshine Series gets under way.

The locals will close their two-match series with Australia tomorrow at the same venue, before welcoming world number-two ranked New Zealand for matches on October 20 and 22.

Tonight's game is schedule to start at 5:30, while both teams will take the court at 5 p.m. for tomorrow's encounter.

Third-place finish

Australia are still smarting from their third-place finish in the just-concluded World FastNet Series in Manchester, England, and will be looking to make amends after finishing behind Jamaica, who claimed the silver medal for the first time at an international event at the senior level.

However, Jamaica's head coach, Connie Francis, is determined to lead her charges to victory over the Australians and believes this series presents the best opportunity for Jamaica to showcase itself as a major threat to the top two.

Said Francis: "This weekend is a big one for us to show Australia and New Zealand that we can go out there and compete with them and beat them. It is now up to our girls to show them that we can do it and I am confident that they can do it."

Team manager Andrea Anthony is equally charged-up about the highly anticipated matchup and is expecting the Jamaicans to build on their FastNet success and get the better of their more fancied rivals.

"Coming out of the tournament in England, the team is on a high and things are looking pretty good as far as preparation is concerned. The players feel that they can do it and they know that they only have to remain focused and make the most of their opportunities. This series is going to be close, the team that makes the least errors will come out on top," Anthony predicted.

She admitted that there seems to be a heightened sense of expectation around the team following their recent exploit in England, but is adamant that the players do not feel under pressure.

"I know that the fans are expecting us to do well, especially after our silver medal at the World Netball Series, but we know what we have to do and the girls are determined to do it. We are playing at home and we know that we will have the full support of our fans."

Though confident, Australia's coach, Norma Plummer, is also expecting tough challenges, given the back-to-back fixtures and Jamaica's style.

"It is going to be a really tough task for us because we are playing them on Saturday and Sunday," she said.

Plummer further stated that the presence of Jamaica's leading players - captain Simone Forbes and Romelda Aiken - who form the shooting - will increase the levels of difficulty.

"I know that Romelda Aiken and Simone (Forbes) will be a handful for us and so we will have to be at our best."

Continuing, she said: "We are always confident because we only come out here to win."

Tickets for the game will cost $700 for adults and $200 for children, while season passes are available for $2,000.