Diamonds captain, Giants shooter Caitlin Bassett armed and dangerous for Super Netball

Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett has declared she is “right as rain” to pull on the Giants colours for the first time in the opening round of Super Netball.

Caitlin Bassett says she will be ready to take the court in the opening round of Super Netball.

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Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett has declared she is “right as rain” to pull on the Giants colours for the first time in the opening round of Super Netball.

After a long rehabilitation from a fractured arm injured while touring England in January, Bassett says she is confident she has regained the strength in her arm to be back at her best on the court when the Giants open their season against the NSW Swifts on Sunday week.

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“It’s really good. I am back in full training which is fantastic,” said Bassett, who moved from Sunshine Coast Lightning in the off-season.

Caitlin Bassett says she will be ready to take the court in the opening round of Super Netball.

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“It’s been 10 weeks since I’ve been on the court so I’m looking forward to the first game of Super Netball.

“There was no way I was going to miss that for the world.”

Bassett, expected to lead Australia into battle at the World Cup later this year, said her rehabilitation was deliberately slow and cautious.

“The wrist was a little stiff to begin with. That is what has taken the time,” she said.

“I need it strong enough to take a fall.”

Winning the Super Netball title last year.

With the Constellation Cup won by Australia last year.

The record-breaking international shooter and Perth native says she feels right at home in Sydney after helping lead the Sunshine Coast Lightning to two Super Netball crowns and spends much of her time away from netball pet sitting.

“I had four dogs the other day, taking them for a walk is the hardest thing ever. They all wanted to run in different directions. It was harder than a gym session,’’ Bassett said.

Bassett is just one of numerous new faces in the Giants this season following the retirement of former Diamonds stars Susan Pettitt and Bec Bulley and the decision of English centre Serena Guthrie to return home to play.

Caitlin Bassett in action against the Silver Ferns during the Netball Quad Series last year.

NSW DERBY ROUND ONE

April 28: Swifts v Giants,

1pm Qudos Bank Arena

TV: Channel 9

SUPER NETBALL

#Starts April 27 and will break after June 23 for four weeks to allow for the World Cup in Liverpool in July. Competition will resume on July 27.

#Semi-finals will be played on August 31 and September 1 with the preliminary final on September 8. The season decider has been slated for September 15.

#There will be 59 Australian players in the league along with 21 internationals.

#There are eight teams: Giants, Swifts, Vixens, Magpies, Firebirds, Lightning, West Coast Fever, Adelaide Thunderbirds.