Australia’s most successful sporting team, the Diamonds have named a lethal lineup to defend their World Cup title in Sydney this July.
The 12-player team was named at the iconic Sydney Opera House on Wednesday morning and coach Lisa Alexander has gone with an experienced lineup that’s been wildly successful – undefeated since September 2013.
The squad boasts a combined 451 Test appearances and nine World Cup titles.
Seven of the players were in the side that won gold four years ago in Singapore – famously defeating the New Zealand Silver Ferns in the very last second of extra time.
The national selectors have also picked an in-form team, with eight players taking part in last week’s dramatic ANZ Championship Grand Final where the Queensland Firebirds pulled off a heart-stopping victory against the New South Wales Swifts.
“This Diamonds selection process was nothing short of the most difficult in my coaching career, such is the high level of performance from the athletes this year, however the selectors and I are confident this is the team to win the Netball World Cup,” coach Alexander said.
“The 12 athletes selected will bring great versatility, huge competitiveness and a capacity to keep improving as a team together. This is what will be required to compete at this World Cup which will be the most challenging tournament in history.”
#brilliance pic.twitter.com/ZBu0CfEIqx
— Australian Diamonds (@AussieDiamonds) June 24, 2015
Laura Geitz, who made a match-winning intercept pass in the Grand Final, will captain the side while Paige Hadley was a surprise selection – forcing her way into the final team after being left out of the initial 18-woman squad.
The most notable omission was Swift’s goal-attack Susan Pettitt, who would feel hard-done-by after an outstanding season for the New South Wales side.
The Netball World Cup will take place from August 7-16 at Sydney Olympic Park. Tickets are available here
The Diamonds’ first match will be against Trinidad and Tobago on the first day of competition at Allphones Arena.
Australian Diamonds team for the 2015 SYDNEY Netball World Cup:
Caitlin Bassett (West Coast Fever)
Erin Bell (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Rebecca Bulley (Queensland Firebirds)
Julie Corletto (NSW Swifts)
(C) Laura Geitz (Queensland Firebirds)
Kimberlee Green (NSW Swifts)
Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts)
Renae Hallinan (Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Sharni Layton (NSW Swifts)
Natalie Medhurst (West Coast Fever)
Kim Ravaillion (Queensland Firebirds)
Caitlin Thwaites (NSW Swifts)
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