Australian netball Diamonds go 2-0 up in Constellation Cup with Silver Ferns
AUSTRALIAN coach Lisa Alexander has revealed the secret of her team’s success as the Diamonds refound their mojo, taking down New Zealand for the second time in five days in the annual Constellation Cup
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Who is in, who is out? Jillaroos for World Cup
- Oh la la. Aussie surfers fire in France
- Sally Fitz and the business of winning
AUSTRALIAN coach Lisa Alexander has revealed the secret of her team’s success as the Diamonds refound their mojo, taking down New Zealand for the second time in five days for a 2-1 lead in the annual Constellation Cup.
Alexander said the 10-goal loss to the Silver Ferns just a month ago was never far from her team’s mind and was spurring the world No.1 side to new heights in the international netball arena.
REVENGE: Diamonds down Silver Ferns in Cup opener
MONGREL: Diamonds get help from former star
“That loss to the Kiwis is something we are not about to forget in a hurry,’’ Alexander said from New Zealand.
“It is still playing on our mind.’’
A combination of blinding, speed, patience and precision on Sunday delivered Australia a 60-52 victory in Christchurch in the annual series between world netball’s leading teams.
FEUD: Liz Cambage on Andrew Bogut
STOKED: Sally Fitz 'super stoked' to be No. 1
While far from perfect, the win still illustrated Australia was back on track to defend its Commonwealth Games crown in April.
“I’m happy with them,’’ Alexander declared after a match in which captain and sharpshooter Caitlin Bassett netted her 2000th international goal in her 71st appearance for Australia.
Alexander sent her strongest line-up into the match and made only minor changes as she and selectors continue their hunt for the combinations they believe has the best chance of winning gold on home turf at next year’s Commonwealth Games.
WNBL GUIDE: What you need to know about the 2017/18 season
NETBALL GUIDE: Who will shine in the Constellation Cup
Veteran Susan Pettitt was replaced at halftime by Steph Wood to mix things up in the shooting department for the only change.
The Silver Ferns, however, made countless shuffles in a bid to record their first win of the series.
“How lucky are we to have both Susan and Steph able to be thrown in there and have something completely different,’’ Alexander said.
After a fast start by the hosts, it took the Diamonds 11 minutes to level the score with a five goal run near the end of the period that put the Australians up 14-11.
The Diamonds led by as much as six goals in the second quarter but were unable to shake the Silver Ferns who trailed by just three — 26-29 — at halftime.
The Australians owned the third quarter, jumping out to an eight-goal lead before being reined in slightly to go into the final period up 44-39.
“I like the way we go ourselves out of trouble in the first quarter,’’ Alexander said.
“There is real growth in this group.’’
Alexander said she was confident her team would bring the same intensity to the remaining two matches of the Constellation Cup in Adelaide on Wednesday and Sydney on Saturday.
SAMSUNG DIAMONDS (60) defeated NEW ZEALAND SILVER FERNS (52)
Diamonds shooting statistics
Caitlin Bassett 40/44 (91%)
Susan Pettitt 8/9 (89%)
Stephanie Wood 12/14 (86%)
Silver Ferns shooting statistics
Maria Tutaia 26/29 (90%)
Bailey Mes 10/13 (77%)
Te Paea Selby-Rickit 16/19 (84%)