Wales Are On The Way Back, Says Former England Captain Pamela Cookey

England legend Pamela Cookey believes Wales are using their absence from this month’s World Cup as a spur towards recovery.

Cookey was in Cardiff at the weekend, where Wales followed up their impressive 52-47 win over Malawi with another notable scalp as they beat Trinidad and Tobago, 72-74, at the Viola Arena.

Both beaten opponents are preparing for the World Cup in Liverpool, which begins on Friday – a tournament Wales failed to qualify for.

Cookey – who is part of Sky Sports’ TV presentation team for the World Cup – believes Wales are in the process of rebuilding.

“It’s shame that Wales didn’t make the tournament – with England, Scotland and Northern Ireland being there, it would have great to have had all the home nations.

“It was surprise they didn’t qualify, but they are in the process of recovering from that setback and building for the future. They’ll come back strongly, I’m sure.

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“I think Scotland and Northern Ireland are going to have good tournaments and England are one of five or six teams that could win it, so the tournament is going to be great for UK netball.

“Australia will be gunning for revenge after losing at the Commonwealth games to England, while Jamaica, New Zealand and South Africa are all contenders.

“We have seen how the women’s football World Cup can take a sport to a different level and I’m very hopeful that a home World Cup can do the same for netball.”

As against Malawi, Wales had to come from behind to beat Trinidad and Tobago.

Coach Julie Hoornweg had seen her team fall behind 56-53 at the end of the third quarter, but they hit back in the final period in which they outscored the Calypso Girls, 19-8.

After starting their series of international games with two heavy defeats to South Africa, Wales have redeemed themselves with back-to-back wins and they can finish with a flourish with two Tests against Grenada on Tuesday and Wednesday.