WA Pair Selected for Diamonds Test Series

WAIS scholarship holders Caitlin Bassett and Natalie Medhurst have been named in Netball Australia’s 13-member Diamonds squad for the up-coming Test Series with New Zealand and England.

The West Coast Fever shooting duo, spearheaded Australia’s surge to gold at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, which saw the Diamonds defeat both England and New Zealand in their run to the title.

Selectors rewarded the triumphant members of the Glasgow campaign, with only one change made to the squad, due to a retirement.

“The team’s performance at the Commonwealth Games was considered by selectors and we really can’t question what they delivered; all 12 players were sensational and operated extremely well, so we want to keep building on that because it is a relatively new group with Tegan (Caldwell) and Julie (Corletto),” Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said.

Bassett scored 49 goals for Australia in their 58-40 win over the Silver Ferns in the Glasgow final, whilst Medhurst was one of the stars of the tournament for the Diamonds, providing excellent service to her shooting partner throughout.

England will look to atone for a disappointing Commonwealth campaign that saw them finish fourth, despite being within seconds of defeating New Zealand in their semi final.

The Test series begins in Invercargill before moving to Melbourne and Sydney. The fourth Test will be played in Auckland, before Bendigo and Canberra round out Australia’s campaign.