AUCKLAND, New Zealand (CMC):

Jamaican ace shooter will miss today's first Test for the World Team against New Zealand's Silver Ferns in their New World International Netball Series.

Netball New Zealand officials have confirmed that the 6-foot-5-inch Aiken will be sidelined to recover from a knee injury and a heavy workload for the bronze medal-winning Jamaicans at the World Youth Netball Champion-ship that ended in the Cook Islands late last week.

FIRST APPEARANCE

Aiken, 20, was due to arrive in Wellington this weekend and her first appearance in the World International Series of three Tests will be in Rotorua next Wednesday in the second Test.

England shooter Louisa Brownfield and Australian veteran Megan Dehn are expected to get the nod in the circle for the World 7 in Aiken's absence.

New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken believes the World Team will prove a formidable force in the first Test in spite of the Jamaican's absence.

"They've still got some quality players in there," Aitken said.

"We certainly want to get one up, but I'm aware that it's not going to be easy," coach Aitken added.

Aiken, a two-time MVP at the prestigious ANZ Championship, had replaced fellow Jamaican Simone Forbes in the World 7 team for the series that will be played August 24, 26 and 29.

World Seven Squad: Althea Byfield and Romelda Aiken (Jamaica); Louisa Brownfield, Tamsin Greenway, Geva Mentor, Sonia Mkoloma (England); Natasha Chokljat, Megan Dehn, Demelza McCloud, Peta Scholz (Australia); Frances Solia (Samoa).