Commonwealth Games 2026: England netball team breeze past Malawi

England bounced back from a difficult loss to world number one side Australia with a 73-38 victory over Malawi at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

There was no hangover from the 66-47 loss to Australia as England cruised into a 18-9 lead in the first quarter.

England consistently kept their advantage throughout before stepping it up in the final quarter to allow Malawi just five points to the Roses’ 18.

Goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell proved to be an influential substitution, scoring all of her 21 shots following her introduction in the second half.

The Roses are third in Pool A behind reigning champions Australia and South Africa.

They will next face Tonga on Wednesday at 16:00 BST before playing South Africa – their rivals for a place in the semi-finals – on Thursday at 21:00 BST.

England are looking to regain the gold they won in 2018 but have had a rocky preparation for the tournament.

Jess Thirlby stepped down as head coach in March for family reasons, leaving assistant Anna Stembridge in interim charge, while injuries to Helen Housby and Natalie Metcalf mean 10 of the Roses’ 12-player squad have made their Commonwealth debuts in Glasgow.

Northern Ireland, who have lost both their games so far, take on Tonga in the other Pool A match to be played on Tuesday.