The England netball side which lines up against Australia tonight may have a different look compared to last year but shooter Helen Housby is confident the players can step up and deliver.

Housby and her England side play the world champions in Liverpool tonight in the first of a three-game International Series.

Australia picked up their 11th title at last year’s World Cup in Sydney with England themselves finishing third.

The visitors will be without a number of key players, including captain Laura Geitz, but England will also take to the court much changed with experienced duo Pamela Cookey and Tamsin Greenway having retired last year.

Joanne Harten, Serena Guthrie and Geva Mentor are also rested, meaning Housby, who has been part of the England set up since 2014 and played at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in the same year, will be one of the more experienced members.

"It is strange to be branded an experienced person," said the 21-year-old.

"I have only played against Australia for half a match before, but hopefully I can use the bit of experience I have to help the other players. It is also a chance for me to step up and still improve my game.

"There are some young talents coming up that have great prospects. People like Jodie Gibson, who has not had an international cap yet - she is one for the future and is such a powerhouse.

"Even though we are not the most experienced team and they are not the most experienced team, any Australian team that takes to the court, you know they are going to be competitive and driven to win. So we will have to match that.

"They have just come off the back of a very successful World Cup, but key for us is to not be scared to play."

Sportsbeat 2016