Diamonds maintain extraordinary winning streak against South Africa

Australia has maintained its extraordinary winning streak against South Africa with the triumph the 39th straight for the Diamonds over the Proteas in their opening Quad Series netball tournament encounter.

The Diamonds have opened their bid for a cleansweep of the Quad Series netball tournament in the UK on a high note with a rousing fightback delivering the Australians a 62-45 win over South Africa in Liverpool.

QUAD SERIES DIAMONDS UNDER PRESSURE TO PERFORM

GUIDE: NETBALL QUAD 2019 SERIES

The victory kept Australia’s extraordinary winning streak against South Africa intact with the triumph the 39th for the Diamonds over the Proteas.

The Diamonds came back from a poor opening quarter and an early five goal deficit to take the match by 17 goals with Player of the Match honours going to shooter Gretel Tippett.

But it was youngster Jamie-Lee Price who impressed coach Lisa Alexander after being injected into the match in the second quarter with immediate effect.

“Jamie was just great, she had a great one for us,” Alexander said of the 22-year-old who only made her Australian debut last October against New Zealand.

“She was my Player of the Match. She was very influential.”

Jamie-Lee Price (right) and Rome Dreyer fight for the ball.

It was an encouraging start for Australia in the last international series before the World Cup in the UK mid year where the Diamonds will bid to defend the world title they won back in 2015.

“I’m proud of the players and the way they fought for this,” Alexander said in a call post match.

“I’m proud of their effort. They came out hard after that first quarter.”

Coached by former Australian guru Norma Plummer, the Proteas shocked the Diamonds to take a 16-11 lead into the first break of the match.

Jamie-Lee Price duels with Karla Pretorius.

Goalshooter Gretel Tippett was in superb form.

In reaction coach Alexander made numerous chances, including injecting youngster Price into the match for Gabi Simpson.

The changes paid dividends with the Diamonds clawing back to lead 27-25 at halftime.

But three-quarter time the Diamonds we’re back in control and leading the match 43-38.

The Australians then took their first win of the Quad Series by restricting the South Africans to just seven goals in the final period.

Australia’s remaining Tests in their Quad Series title defence are against New Zealand and England in London.

In the following match England racked up their fourth consecutive win over a rebuilding New Zealand.

The hosts beat the Silver Ferns 54-41, their equal best defeat of the New Zealand side.