Australian netball Diamonds ready to shine in Quad series and Constellation Cup

THE Quad series has been won by the Diamonds. So what’s next for the Australian netball team on the international front? Netball ULTIMATE GUIDE.

Australia will play a series of international netballs over the next two months.

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THERE’S a feast of international netball still ahead for sports lovers with Australia and New Zealand hosting a series of blockbuster games in upcoming weeks.

The Quad series between Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa has been played and won.

But still to come is the annual Constellation Cup between the Diamonds and Silver Ferns.

CAITLIN BASSETT EARNS PLAY OF THE DAY

CHANGES TO DIAMONDS FOR CONSTELLATION CUP

The Australian Diamonds celebrate winning the 2015 world championships.

A highlight of this series will be the return of Australia and New Zealand to the scene of their epic World Cup decider in 2015.

Our ULTIMATE GUIDE to the international netball action ahead and all the news on the games that have been played.

DEBUTANTS SHINE FOR AUSTRALIA

NETBALL AUDITION FOR TOP GUNS

BASSETS NETS SWOOP AWARD

THE CONSTELLATION CUP

It’s the Bledisloe for netball.

The Constellation Cup is contested by the Diamonds and Silver Ferns and is awarded each year to the team that wins the most Test matches outside world championships and Commonwealth Games.

Silver Ferns shooter Bailey Mes and Diamonds defender Sharni Layton clash in the Quad series.

THE HISTORY

Australia has won five of the previous six Constellation Cup Series against the Silver Ferns since the trophy was introduced in 2010.

The Diamonds are the current holders of the Cup.

WHO IS PLAYING

Diamonds squad: Caitlin Bassett, April Brandley, Sharni Layton, Clare McMeniman, Natalie Medhurst, Kim Ravaillion, Madi Robinson, Gabi Simpson, Caitlin Thwaites, Gretel Tippett, Liz Watson, Jo Weston.

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The Constellation Cup will be a close tussle between the two powers of world netball.

IMPORTANT DATES

Constellation Cup

Sun Oct. 9: Australian Diamonds v Silver Ferns. Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney.

Wed Oct. 12: Australian Diamonds v Silver Ferns, Launceston.

Sat Oct. 15: Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds, Vector Arena, Auckland, NZ.

Thurs. Oct. 20: Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds ILT Stadium Southland, Invercargill, NZ

Diamond's Sharni Layton on the attack against New Zealand last year.

THE SYDNEY GAME

The Australian Diamonds and New Zealand Silver Ferns return to Qudos Bank Arena for the first time since the 2015 netball world championships. HERE’S OUR MATCH REPORT

THE LAUNCESTON GAME

First game between Australia and New Zealand in Tasmania since the Aussies defeated New Zealand 31-19 in 1986 at the Velodrome — now known as The Silverdome — Launceston. HERE’S OUR REPORT

The Diamonds are tipped to end the year undefeated.

HOW AUSTRALIA WENT IN THE QUAD SERIES

Australia won its first match of the Quad series in Auckland with a 25-goal victory over South Africa. MATCH REPORT HERE

Australian won its second match of the Quad series with a 20 goal win over England. MATCH REPORT HERE

Australia claimed the Quad series with their win over NZ in the final game of the series.

MATCH REPORT HERE

England and South Africa during the 2015 world championships.

TV

Here's how you can tune in to watch us in the #QuadSeries! #GoDiamonds pic.twitter.com/P59FczWCTR

— Australian Diamonds (@AussieDiamonds) August 25, 2016

SILVER FERNS SNARES SWIFTS TOP AWARD

SWIFTS, FIREBIRDS ON HIT-LIST AFTER GRAND FINAL STUNNER

The Diamonds in a huddle at last year’s world netball championships.

TEAMS AND PLAYERS IN THE QUAD SERIES

Diamonds team for Quad Series: Caitlin Bassett, April Brandley, Sharni Layton, Kristiana Manua, Clare McMeniman, Natalie Medhurst, Kim Ravaillion, Madi Robinson, Gabi Simpson, Caitlin Thwaites, Liz Watson, Stephanie Wood.

Silver Ferns for Quad Series: Kayla Cullen, Ameliaranne Ekenasio, Shannon Francois, Katrina Grant (captain), Anna Harrison, Phoenix Karaka, Laura Langman (vice-captain), Bailey Mes, Storm Purvis, Grace Rasmussen, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Maia Wilson.

SHARNI LAYTON PUTS BODY ON THE LINE

England on the defence at the world championships in Sydney.

Diamond's defender Sharni Layton in full swing against New Zealand.

Roses squad for Quad series: Jo Harten, Ellie Cardwell, Kadeen Corbin, Helen Housby, Jade Clarke, Serena Guthrie, Hannah Joseph, Natalie Haythornthwaite, Beth Cobden, Natalie Panagarry, Ama Agbeze (Captain), Stacey Francis, Summer Artman, Geva Mentor, Jodie Gibson.

Proteas team for Quad Series: Erin Burger (Western Cape), Sigrid Burger (North West), Lindie Lombard (Gauteng), Izette Lubbe (Gauteng), Phumza Maweni (Western Cape), Karla Mostert (vice-captain) (Free State), Bongiwe Msomi (captain) (KwaZulu-Natal), Precious Mthembu (KwaZulu-Natal), Lenize Potgieter (Gauteng), Renske Stoltz (North West), Jeanie Steyn (Gauteng), Zanele Vimbela (Eastern Cape).