Clarke steps up to the captain's role replacing Pamela Cookey, who picked up an injury to her Achilles tendon during April's ZEO Netball Superleague Grand Final day which ruled her out of the Games.

The experienced Clarke, set to win make her 100th international appearance in Glasgow, is one of three players in the squad who ply their trade in New Zealand.

The 30-year-old plays for the Christchurch-based EasiYo Tactix club, while Ama Agbeze represents Haier Pulse and Joanne Harten KIA Magic, which are based in Wellington and Waikato respectively.

Eboni Beckford-Chambers from the West Coast Fever and the Melbourne Vixens' Geva Mentor - both based in Australia - are the other players in the squad who play outside of England.

This year's Superleague champions Manchester Thunder supply two players to the squad in the form of Sara Bayman and Helen Housby, while runners-up the Hertfordshire Mavericks are represented by Kadeen Corbin and Sasha Corbin.

Stacey Francis and Serena Guthrie from Team Bath and Surrey Storm's Rachel Dunn complete the squad line-up.

"The squad can't wait to get to Glasgow and compete at this year's Commonwealth Games," said Clarke.

"This is a huge tournament for us and we hope to do our supporters proud with our performances.

"With the Games taking place so close to home we are hoping for a lot of support in Scotland to inspire us onto achieving our goals.

"I am very honoured to have been chosen to lead this excellent squad during the competition."

Jade Clarke will captain the England side in Glasgow following injury to Pamela Cookey ©Getty Images




Along with Clarke, Harten, Dunn, Mentor and Agbeze have all amassed more than 50 England appearances each while following an impressive season with the Thunder, 19-year-old Housby is set to make her international debut in Glasgow.

England are currently ranked third in the world rankings behind reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallists New Zealand and world champions Australia.

Head coach Anna Mayes' side have been drawn in Group B for the Games in Glasgow which will see the netball competition begin on July 24 at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre Precinct and last for 12 days, with the finals taking place at the SSE Hydro.

The three-time Commonwealth Games bronze medallists are up against two-time champions Australia as well as neighbours Wales along with Barbados, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago.

"We are delighted to have chosen a real mix of experienced heads and young faces for our Commonwealth Games squad," said Mayes.

"Seven of the team have competed previously at the Games with some well-known names such as Serena Guthrie and Sasha Corbin ready to play in their first.

"This is an incredibly important competition for us as it is the only chance our squad gets to compete at a multi-sport event and it is one of the main tournaments on the netball calendar.

"We look forward to representing Team England with an exceptional amount of pride."

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