Pendle’s Natalie Metcalf and her England team-mates are through to the second group stage of the Netball World Cup in South Africa.

The Roses secured a 62-37 win against Scotland today in their final Pool B clash to add to a 62-39 victory over Malawi on Saturday after their opening-day triumph against Barbados by 90-29 on Friday.

A much-changed England side saw co-captain Metcalf start yesterday’s Scotland game on the bench for the already-qualified Roses.

Now they enter a second stage as one of the favourites to clinch the crown in Cape Town on Sunday, after topping their pool with three wins from three.

In Pool F they will face another fancied team in Australia alongside two other new opponents, with their results against Scotland and Malawi carried forward.

The top two in the two pools of six then contest the semi-finals later this week.

Speaking after the Malawi win, Metcalf told Sky Sports: “The goal-shooting accuracy is awesome for us and something we want to keep building on as the tournament continues.

“Whichever the combination is - Ell, Helen Liv - we just need to get the ball to them all the time.

“We really grew into the game. Malawi are an incredible side who are happy in possession so it was hard but we got through it.”