Netball Quad series: Diamonds defender Sharni Layton cut from Australian squad
VETERAN defender Sharni Layton will be missing from the Diamonds squad playing in the Quad series in England and South Africa in the New Year after failing to receive medical clearance
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WHILE she has returned to Magpies training, Australian defender Sharni Layton will be missing from the Diamond squad playing in the Quad series in England and South Africa in the new year after failing to receive medical clearance
The Quad series is Australia’s major lead-up event to the Commonwealth Games in April.
Emily Mannix has been named to replace Layton in the touring squad of 14, from which 12 athletes will be named before each Test match.
Layton originally took time out from netball due to exhaustion and also missed two major netball series in Australian and New Zealand in September and October.
“Sharni is progressing well with her training at the Magpies, but has fallen just short of what is required to be Test match ready,” said coach Lisa Alexander.
“We were clear from the outset that her selection would be subject to medical clearance, and we need 14 athletes ready to go in January, for what will be a very demanding Test series.
“She will continue in her training with the Magpies, working on progressing her training further.”
Layton’s availability for the Commonwealth Games remains in doubt although she will attend an upcoming Games simulation camp in January.
“Sharni will join us at the Commonwealth Games Simulation Camp, which will also be a Selection Camp for all attending squad athletes, and is very much in the mix for selection in the Commonwealth Games,” Alexander said.
Netball Quad Series Team
Caitlin Bassett (Western Australia, Sunshine Coast Lightning) 73 caps
April Brandley (NSW, Collingwood Magpies) 18 caps
Courtney Bruce (Western Australia, West Coast Fever) 7 caps
Paige Hadley (NSW, NSW Swifts) 18 caps
Emily Mannix (Victoria, Melbourne Vixens) 1 cap
Kate Moloney (Victoria, Melbourne Vixens) 2 caps
Susan Pettitt (NSW, GIANTS Netball) 61 caps
Kim Ravaillion (NSW, Collingwood Magpies) 47 caps
Gabi Simpson (NSW, Queensland Firebirds) 22 caps
Caitlin Thwaites (Victoria, Collingwood Magpies) 31 caps
Gretel Tippett (Queensland, Queensland Firebirds) 15 caps
Liz Watson (Victoria, Melbourne Vixens) 12 caps
Jo Weston (Victoria, Melbourne Vixens) 8 caps
Stephanie Wood (Queensland, Sunshine Coast Lightning) 6 caps