Silver Ferns defender Michaela Sokolich-Beatson has been ruled out of the Vitality Netball Nations Cup after rupturing her Achilles tendon.

Sokolich-Beatson suffered the injury during a training match in Nottingham, and is now travelling home to New Zealand to begin her recovery.

No replacement player will be brought in as cover for the series.

“With the advice of our medical staff it is important that we get Michaela home as soon as possible. Our team are all hugely disappointed for Michaela, as well as her ANZ Premiership side the Northern Mystics,” Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua said.

Northern Mystics Coach Helene Wilson says: we are gutted to hear of Michaela’s injury and we will miss her skills and leadership on court for the 2020 ANZ Premiership season. However, we know she will continue to add value in her new role within our Mystics environment and we welcome the skills and knowledge she will continue to bring to our team”.