Australia claim clean sweep beating New Zealand 67-48 in Quad Series in South Africa
AUSTRALIA has claimed a morale-boosting 3-0 clean sweep of the last international netball series prior to the Commonwealth Games with a 67-48 humiliation of New Zealand.
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AUSTRALIA has claimed a morale-boosting 3-0 clean sweep of the last international netball series prior to the Commonwealth Games with a 67-48 humiliation of New Zealand in South Africa.
The win fell just short of Australia’s highest ever total against New Zealand — the 68 goals scored in a Tests matches in 2012 and 2016.
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The unexpectedly resounding win late Sunday in Johannesburg confirms Australia’s favouritism to defend their Commonwealth Games crown on the Gold Coast in April.
The emphatic defeat of the world No. 2 side — along with recent four goal wins over both South Africa and England — has the Diamonds in the box seat to defend the title they won in Glasgow four years ago.
“It was fantastic that everyone stood up,” captain Caitlin Bassett said.
“It give us a lot of confidence for the Commonwealth Games.”
The Quad series triumph is the Diamonds second international series win in a row following Australia’s success in the Constellation Cup late last year.
It is now expected only minor changes will be made to the side which toured the UK and South Africa for the Quad series when the Commonwealth Games 12 are unveiled early February.
Australia has the best history of any team in the Commonwealth Games with five wins from eight events and will go into the event as the reigning world champions and No. 1 ranked side.
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In Sunday’s Quad Series finale Australia came out with intent to run off with an early 17-9 lead as the Silver Ferns struggled in the circle.
The second period saw Australia extend their lead to 35-22 despite a series of basic errors.
Telling statistics in the first half were Australia’s shooting at 85 per cent compared to New Zealand’s 73 per cent, incurring just 15 penalties to their rivals 25 and making 14 turnovers to the Silver Ferns’ six.
“We certainly didn’t expect a margin this big,” coach Lisa Alexander told commentators at halftime.
By three quarter time the Diamonds had opened up a 17 goal lead before taking the game by 19 goals.
The match also marked Kim Ravaillion’s 50th test match for Australia with Liz Watson named Player of the Match.