Kiera Austin powers Diamonds to big series win over Roses

A commanding performance from goal attack Kiera Austin has helped power Australia to a series win against the Roses with a 69-56 victory in Bendigo on Wednesday night.

A commanding performance from goal attack Kiera Austin has helped power Australia to a series win against the Roses with a 69-56 victory in Bendigo on Wednesday night.

After suffering a 61-59 loss in the second Test in Sydney on Sunday, the Diamonds hit back to secure a 2-1 series win to deliver a body blow to their growing international rivals.

The Diamonds’ third Test win equalled the margin in their 13-goal win in the opening Test in Adelaide last Thursday and sets the team up strongly for their next international assignment against the Silver Ferns in October.

Roses’ star goaler Helen Housby declared all the pressure was on Australia leading into the series decider and the Diamonds’ responded to turn up the intensity on the visitors in front of 4032 at Bendigo Stadium.

Kiera Austin starred against England. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Working beautifully in tandem with her Melbourne Vixens’ teammate Sophie Garbin in the goal circle, Austin was named player of the match and player of the three-Test series.

Austin finished the match with 24 goals from 29 attempts, driving the Diamonds’ attack as she continued to take her international game to another level.

Garbin had 43 goals from 47 attempts, while England goal shooter Liv Tchine dominated the scoring for the Roses (39/40), with Housby scoring 15/17.

The Diamonds led by eight goals leading into the final quarter, but were able to consolidate to score another commanding win.

Australian coach Stacey Marinkovich didn’t make a change to her line-up until late in the third quarter, while England coach Jess Thirlby rang the changes in the mid-court in the second quarter and in defence in the third quarter in a bid to get back into the game.

Diamonds goal shooter Sophie Garbin receives the ball under pressure from Funmi Fadoju. Picture: Getty Images

TOP SEVEN

After mixing up her starting line-up for the second Test, Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich reverted to the same seven she started with in the big opening Test win.

Garbin started back at goal shooter, Jamie-Lee Price at wing defence and Paige Hadley in centre.

Garbin provided a strong target under the ring and her rapport with Austin in the goal circle helped get the Diamonds’ off to a strong start.

The Diamonds only made two changes late in the fourth quarter, bringing on Sophie Dwyer to rest Austin, while Kate Moloney came on to huge applause in place of Paige Hadley.

The Roses mixed up their midcourt rotations, while Razia Quashie was brought on at goal keeper as Fran Williams to goal defence in a bid to quell Austin’s impact.

Australia’s Sarah Klau and England’s Liv Tchine contest the ball. Picture: Getty Images

TCHINE TOPS

While the Roses were hit hard when experienced goal shooter Eleanor Cardwell was ruled out for the rest of the series after the opening game through injury, Tchine has more than stood up in her place.

Tchine proved herself to be a dominant target under the post and her accuracy in the decider could not be faulted.

It followed her 32 goals from 34 attempts in the second Test win.

CAPTAIN’S CAPS

Australian captain Liz Watson brought up another milestone as Diamonds captain on Wednesday night against England.

The star wing attack equalled champion Australian goal shooter Vicki Wilson on 42 for the second-most Tests as Diamonds captain.

The pair sit behind Michelle den Dekker, who played the most Tests as Diamonds’ skipper on 71.

Watson, who has 23 goal assists and 39 feeds, was the only Diamonds’ player to play every minute of the whole Test series against the Roses.

Originally published as Kiera Austin powers Diamonds to big series win over Roses