Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

A confident New Zealand contingent arrived in the island yesterday ahead of their two-Test National Commercial Bank (NCB) Sunshine Series against Jamaica's Sunshine Girls, which begins on Tuesday at the National Indoor Sports Complex.

"We are very confident but we have to be realistic because we know that Jamaica are very talented and if we don't perform at our best we are going to let them into the game," said Ruth Aitken, coach of New Zealand.

She added: "I think that Simone (Forbes) and Romelda (Aiken) are outstanding and they also have a lot of experience in mid-court, so we know that they are going to be tough to beat," she said.

The New Zealanders defeated the Sunshine Girls 2-0 in their last series in 2005, but according to Aitken, they are expecting some keen encounters this time around.

"We are expecting a torrid battle in these two test matches because we are looking to finish the season really well. But we know that playing at home, Jamaica are a real force," Aitken said. "The Jamaicans play with a lot of flair and they are extremely athletic and very powerful. So we know we have to hit that ball hard from the first whistle."

Second in the world

The New Zealanders, who are ranked second in the world, won the gold medal at the just-concluded World Fast Net Series Championships in Manchester, England, by defeating the Sunshine Girls in the final.

Aitken noted that they would be looking to their star players to rise to the occasion.

"I think that we have strength throughout our team because I think that we have one of the best defenders in the world in Casey Williams and one of the best shooters in the game, Irene Van Dyke, but we have to produce on court," Aitken said.