Dominant Diamonds secure big win over South Africa in Netball Quad Series opener

A dominant offensive display from Diamonds shooters Caitlin Bassett and Caitlin Thwaites has led Australia to a 68-43 win over South Africa.

Madi Robinson was a standout for the Diamonds. Picture: Adam Head

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IT MIGHT be more than a year since they won their world crown but the Australian Diamonds proved they are still top dogs in world netball — even with their captain absent, two players making their debuts and a veteran returning after a 16-month sojourn from the international game.

The 25-goal trouncing of South Africa in Auckland on Saturday was step one in the Diamonds campaign to clean sweep not just the Quad series against South Africa, New Zealand and England but also the following Constellation Cup against the Silver Ferns later this year.

“The goal is to win all the matches,” is coach Lisa Alexander’s mantra for the international season.

In their opener of the Quad series in Auckland on Saturday, the Diamonds demolished the world No. 5 South African side 68-43.

It was the Australians first win over South Africa since their emphatic 35-goal thumping at last year’s World Cup and it kept intact their undefeated run in netball Tests against the Proteas, with the victory the Diamonds 32nd win.

Minus captain Laura Geitz who is being rested for the series, the Diamonds still dominated every aspect of the match which saw Kristiana Manu’a and Steph Wood -who scored five from six goals in her 15 minute debut — become the 169th and 170th players respectively to step out for the Diamonds.

“It was cool,” said Wood, a key member of the Swifts team which finished runners-up to the Firebirds in the ANZ championship this season and who came on in the last quarter with Manu’a.

“It’s an honour to be a Diamond and wear the uniform.”

Kim Ravaillion was a standout for the Diamonds. Picture: Adam Head

Sharpshooter Caitlin Bassett scored 28 for the Diamonds in the first half with second half replacement Caitlin Thwaites shooting at 100 per cent with her 23 goal tally.

But it was Melbourne Vixen Madi Robinson who starred for the Diamonds in her first international outing in 675 days.

The mid-courter earned MVP honours for her return to the international arena after a long struggle with injury which saw her play her first game for the Diamonds since October 22, 2014, in Auckland on Saturday.

Robinson missed last year’s World Cup with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

Against the Proteas the Diamonds lead 19-10 at the first break, 36-20 at halftime and 50-30 going into the final stanza.

Under former Australian coach Norma Plummer, the South African touring side appears both fitter and faster than the one which played in last year’s World Cup in Sydney.

Players from all four teams now fly to Adelaide where Australia will play England and New Zealand will meet South Africa on Wednesday.

On September 4 the Diamonds will play New Zealand in Melbourne and England will take on South Africa.

Originally published as Dominant Diamonds secure big win over South Africa in Netball Quad Series opener