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2019 Netball World Cup group stage: Australia vs Northern Ireland |
||
| Venue: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, England | ||
| Match time: Q4 15' | ||
| Australia | Northern Ireland | |
|---|---|---|
| 88 | SCORE | 24 |
| 24 | Q1 | 7 |
| 21 | Q2 | 8 |
| 22 | Q3 | 4 |
| 21 | Q4 | 5 |
The Australian Diamonds will begin their Netball World Cup title defence in Liverpool with a pool match against Northern Ireland. Join The Roar for all the action, with live scores and a blog of the match from 8pm (AEST).
Australia travelled to England a little over a week ago to settle in and prepare for another World Cup. Four years ago, on home soil, Australia beat New Zealand in the final 58 to 55, to lift the trophy for the 11th time.
Following the disappointing silver medal finish at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the Diamonds are striving for their fourth consecutive World Cup title in Liverpool this July.
In the opening match, the Aussie line up will meet Northern Ireland, led by captain Caroline O’Hanlon.
After a number of key retirements post-2018 Commonwealth Games, ex-Adelaide Thunderbirds Dan Ryan was tasked with re-building the Northern Ireland national squad.
While this first match might prove too big of a challenge, Northern Ireland will be out to cause some upsets throughout the week, with a mixture of experience and fresh faces who could do it.
O’Hanlon and her vice-captain Fionnuala Toner, as well as midcourter Michelle Drayne, performed well in the Vitality Superleague (the elite netball competition in the UK) and will lead the way for Northern Ireland in Liverpool.
In practice last week, Australian captain Caitlin Bassett suffered a mild concussion and missed both warm-up matches against Manchester Thunder and England A.
She is expected to be fit for the opening match, however, Australia will likely take a cautious approach with regards to game time.
The last time these two teams played was at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April, 2018.
Australia absolutely dominated the match, walking away with a 68-goal victory, 94 to 26.
Unfortunately for Northern Ireland, the match is likely to be another one-sided affair, with the Diamonds a class above as the number one side in the world.
Prediction
Really, this is likely be more of a training drill than a truly competitive hit-out for the Diamonds. In fact, they are unlikely to find much competition in the group stage at all.
Australia to win by 43 goals.
Venue: Court 1 M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool, England
Time: 8pm (AEST)
TV: Channel 9
Online: 9Now
Betting: Australia $1.005, Northern Ireland $19.00
Australia (squad)
Caitlin Bassett (captain), April Brandley, Kelsey Browne, Courtney Bruce, Paige Hadley, Sarah Klau, Jamie-Lee Price, Caitlin Thwaites, Gretel Tippett, Liz Watson, Jo Weston, Steph Wood
Northern Ireland (squad)
Lisa Bowman, Niamh Cooper, Shaunagh Craig, Ciara Crosbie, Michelle Drayne, Gemma Lawlor, Emma Magee, Michelle Magee, Lisa McCafrey, Caroline O’Hanlon (captain), Fionnuala Toner, Neamh Woods
Scott Pryde
Expert
G'day - all of Australia's games are broadcast on 9Gem. The rest of the games not featuring Australia are live streamed on 9Now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Zimbabwe at 6pm tonight.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Nice blog to read Sarah. What a shellacking! What’s next for the Diamonds?
Chocolate chip
Roar Rookie
Where can I watch the game ??
Chocolate chip
Roar Rookie
Where can I watch the game
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Thanks for following along tonight. Australia match up against Zimbabwe on Saturday night 6pm AEST and Sri Lanka on Sunday at midnight.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Tomorrow afternoon and Sunday night as well! Although for a quality match you’ll have to wait until about mid-way through the week.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Kelsey Browne has been named player of the match, her work in the midcourt at WA through the first three quarters was key to the Diamonds' ability to transition. She had 28 goal assists and 11 centre pass receives.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Full Time Very comfortable win for Australia to begin their World Cup defence. Smiles all round, cannot fault that performance from Australia. The Diamonds' girls dominated from the first centre pass and didn't let up, mass team changes at the break could not slow the consistency. Northern Ireland would have expected to struggle in this opening game, Dan Ryan admitted that before the match. However, they will be disappointed with the 60% shooting accuracy and a huge number of turnovers (50). AUS 88 NI 24
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Thwaites scores the final goal of the game, at the last whistle Australia defeats Northern Ireland by 64 goals. AUS 88 NI 24
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 0:05 Couple issues with the live feed. AUS 87 NI 23
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 2:07 The video footage has just dropped out from Liverpool. AUS 86 NI 22
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 2:33 Contact against the GA, Crosbie. AUS 86 NI 22
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 3:05 They draw the defenders out of the circle, Northern Ireland. Craig alone in the circle, she scores. AUS 86 NI 22
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 3:32 Brandley out of play, Bruce can’t intercept the pass. AUS 86 NI 21
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4:07 Another goal on the board. AUS 86 NI 20
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4:18 Into the final five minutes... AUS 85 NI 20
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4:55 In between the GD and the GK, Tippett pops up and takes another. AUS 84 NI 20
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 5:27 NI need to work it around the circle as they were doing in the second quarter. AUS 83 NI 20
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 5:57 Craig can't quite take the ball inside the court, throw is deflected by Australia though. AUS 82 NI 20