Eleanor Cardwell makes her return from injury for the Vitality Roses
Eleanor Cardwell made her return to international netball as the Vitality Roses lost their three-match series against New Zealand.
The Blackpool-born 31-year-old was back in the squad, having recovered from a knee injury, as the two nations prepare for next year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
She was named as a substitute in all three games, which began with the first of a double-header at London’s Copper Box Arena last Saturday, when New Zealand picked up a 61-58 victory.
The Roses bounced back the following day, however, squaring matters in winning by the same scoreline.
That set up a decider at Manchester’s AO Arena on Wednesday night, which saw New Zealand win 55-49 to clinch a 2-1 series victory.
Roses’ head coach Jess Thirlby said: “Really flat. I did feel like we played a bit within ourselves. I still felt like there was way more to come.
“I felt both teams were a bit hesitant at the start of the game. (We were) maybe a little bit slow to adjust.
“There’s a lot for us to learn about ourselves in showing up for games like this where things are on the line.
“We never really found our feet. It was a bit of a flat end to what I think has been an excellent series.”
Next up for the Roses is a home and away series against Jamaica, with matches in Kingston on December 6 and 7 followed by two return games at the Copper Box Arena on December 13 and 14.
After that comes a three-match series in South Africa, with matches in Johannesburg on January 29 and 31, as well as February 1.