Diamonds coach says England’s Comm Games gold takes away element of surprise at World Cup

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander has questioned how Commonwealth Games champions England will handle the weight of expectation at the World Cup on home soil.

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Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander has questioned whether pulling off one of the great stings of world netball to win the Commonwealth Games will harm England’s quest for World Cup success at home next month.

Alexander, whose defending champions lost by a goal at the Games last year, says England’s gold medal has taken away their element of surprise as they prepare to host the showpiece tournament in Liverpool from July 12.

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As the Diamonds toughened up for the rigours of an eight-game tournament with a physical 90-minute match against top Super Netball players from the NSW Swifts and Giants in Sydney on Wednesday, Alexander suggested a heavy burden of expectation is on the English Roses after their Games gold.

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander says the pressure will be on England to fire at home in the World Cup. Picture: AAP

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“Its different from how they came into Commonwealth Games. I think everyone was surprised by that result at the end of the day,” she said after the Diamonds’ 99-76 win over the Sydney composite team.

“I wasn’t, but the netball public would have been so they probably achieved that a little earlier than they were wanting. They really wanted to get this one (the World Cup) so the burden of expectation will be interesting, to see how they deal with that.”

Alexander said she was thrilled with the form and fitness of her 12 players more than a fortnight out from the start of the World Cup.

“I’m delighted to say the Diamonds have come to this camp in the best shape possible,” she said. “Definitely match ready. I’m really rapt.”

Diamonds wing attack Paige Hadley hit the court in a practice match in Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But after a tough session against a composite team and before a match against a men’s side on Thursday, Alexander said there was still much work to be done.

Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka are Australia’s early World Cup opponents before a crossover will pit them against higher-ranked teams.

The Diamonds are chasing their fourth successive World Cup win in England.

Just seven players remain from the 12 who lost to England in the gold medal decider at last year’s Commonwealth Games.

Only three — captain Caitlin Basset, fellow shooter Caitlin Thwaites and midcourter Paige Hadley — remain from the 2015 World Cup winning Diamonds side.

The Sydney camp wraps up on Friday with players flying out next week.