Diamonds’ Netball World Cup 2023: Australia lose to England for the first time since 1963
For the first time in 13 attempts, England have upset Australia at a Netball World Cup after the Diamonds suffered a second-half meltdown.
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Australia is likely to have to play its World Cup grand final a match early after the Diamonds lost their final round match to England in a second-half meltdown.
The Diamonds were up by as many as eight goals in the third term but a string of turnovers allowed England back into the game and they prevailed 56-55 after taking the lead early in the fourth quarter.
Australia now faces Jamaica in the semi-finals after the Sunshine Girls beat New Zealand 59-48 to set up a clash with the world No.1.
It’s not a situation they should have found themselves in given they’d almost broken away but a few undisciplined plays and errors at crucial moments allowed England back into the match and they failed to deal well with the pressure that came down the stretch as the crowd rallied behind the Roses.
Ultimately though, the Diamonds lost the key moments.
The victory was England’s first over Australia at a World Cup after the Diamonds won all 13 previous meetings between the two countries at the pinnacle event. It’s a result not seen since 1963.
Although disappointed, the Diamonds are adamant they can bounce back and achieve their Cape Town dream.
“That’s exactly what I said to the group after the game, that our vision’s still there and we want to go (all the way),” captain Liz Watson said.
“To be the best you’ve got to beat the best. We’ve said that right from the start and we’ll see who it is (for the semi-finals) and what it is and learn from this game obviously because it’s a disappointing loss.
“But there were lots of positives, especially in that second quarter and whoever we’re playing against, we’ll review for that and get ready.
“I think it’s just (about) staying positive. You never want to lose – people say they’re good losses but of course we want to win and put out a good performance.
“I think that’s probably the most disappointing, not just the loss but the way we played towards the back end of that game.
“We’re still really positive, we want to be there (in the final), we’re still aiming for that and we’ll work really hard to make sure that we are.”
Coach Stacey Marinkovich said the Roses’ “aggressive style” hindered the Diamonds’ flow but they had needed to “solidify” when they’d made a run.
“At the end of the day it’s high performance sport, there’s not a perfect game and certainly to win a World Cup, you’ve got to be able to beat anyone anywhere,” Marinkovich said.
“It doesn’t matter about the opposition, it’s about how we go and learn and grow from this and make sure that we can adapt and shift in the right direction.”
Marinkovich said her players may have allowed the perception of pressure to get to them even when they should have known they were on course.
“I think there was definitely a perception around the pressure compared to what was (really happening),” Marinkovich said.
“It was loud out there, there’s no doubt. We haven’t had that type of noise for a bit.
“I don’t know if the atmosphere unsettled us but we just didn’t calm and go to our structures that we wanted to.”
England’s Super Netball shooters Helen Housby and Eleanor Cardwell were outstanding, missing just one shot between them in the entire match, with Housby taking MVP honours after making 22-of-22 shots, as well as having 12 goal assists and 13 feeds.
The pair thrive under pressure and stood tall in the frantic final moments, both wanting the ball in their hands and having full confidence in their ability to score freely.
“Pressure is either what makes or breaks you,” NSW Swifts goaler Housby said.
“I think in that last quarter we wanted it more and I think we looked like the strong team, we looked fitter and we want the ball in our hands.
“I always trust El to shoot the ball and I think I’m the same, I like to attack the post and get on with the job and I’m just really proud of the effort.”
The Diamonds were enormously frustrated with inconsistency of calls from the umpires.
While they had players such as Courtney Bruce practically whistled out of the game and under so much scrutiny she had little chance to contest ball throughout the match, there were other times when enormous physicality was let go, particularly in the midcourt.
Skipper Liz Watson and wing defence Ash Brazill hit the court regularly.
Former Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander had highlighted in a column for Code Sports the scrutiny Bruce was likely to be under at this tournament given recent commentary from the Silver Ferns coach, something that is unlikely to have been missed by the two New Zealand umpires who controlled the match.
But Marinkovich was not about to complain.
“The penalty count, England had double what we had, so in terms of our discipline, I don’t think we were too bad,” she said.
“I think there were moments and you have to adjust.
“We haven’t had one of those umpires for a little bit and you’ve just got to see what they’re seeing, make sure we adjust our angles.
“Probably we wanted to accumulate some pressure a little bit earlier but our penalty count wasn’t an issue.
“Our penalty count on our defenders has been low, so to say that they’re being targetted would be unjust.
“But when the physicality does come into it, we’ve got strong bodies out there, so we’ve got to make sure that they see what’s happening before the incident – in the build to contacts as well.”
FINAL SCORE: AUS 55-56 ENG
If there is anyone you want on your side in the dying moments of a match like this it’s Helen Housby and it is history for England!
For the first time in 13 attempts the Roses have beaten the Diamonds at a World Cup BY ONE GOAL!
Q4 AUS 54-54 ENG
Austin with the chance to make it level with 2.5 to play and she misses with the rebound going to the Roses but they’ve rushed the court order and Weston reclaims possession. neither side is playing calm.
Koenen this time with the shot and the scores are LEVEL! 1.5 to play
Q4 10 MINS AUS 51-53 ENG
I’m trying to be really balanced in this coverage hence saying how terrible the Roses were in the second and third quarter but honestly, it feels like half of the Diamonds stayed off the court after the ¾ time break.
Liz Watson called up by the umps againand she needs to watch herself. So too does JLP who’s just coat hangered Helen Housby and now she has the caution.
JLP is off, Hadley is back on - could be a good call, her feeding has bene strong this tournament but immediately the centre is intercepted and England make the most of it, the lead extended to four with six left on the clock.
Down the other end, Austin is on and it’s clinical execution from her when it matters.
Australia settling in the dying moments and there is still time. Two is the difference.
Q4 5 MINS AUS 47-50 ENG
All the markings of the World cup gold medal match both sides have come out a little timid in this final quarter - no one wants to be THAT person that makes any sudden movements so to speak.
Housby combining well with Pittman to hand England the lead early on and Williams int he midcourt intercepting to allow England to double the lead.
Ice in Cardwell’s veins on that delivery.
THREE-QUARTER-TIME: AUS 45-44 ENG
We would you look at that. Chelsea Pittman comes on and has an immediate impact. England in the space of four minutes score 8/10 goals and pull it back to within one goal. The Diamonds have been caught napping and haven’t England just taken this to them.
Liz Watson has copped a warning for consistent breaking and she will need to watch herself. That error gifts England the advantage and the Roses are taking this to the Diamonds. What a final quarter we are in for.
Q3 10 MINS AUS 42-37 ENG
Pains me to say but England are in all sorts here and their midcourt is in need of some change. Get Chelsea Pittman on!
The first 10 minutes we saw from England seems a distant memory this is borderline shocking. No defensive pressure on the Diamonds whatsoever.
Roses attack remains clutch but my goodness it’s all going wrong everywhere else.
Finally a turnover for England and convert - just five more of them if they want a chance of getting back in.
Q3 5 MINS AUS 37-29 ENG
Marinkovich giving nothing away speaking from the sidelines.
“We started to pick up defensively in the second instead of relaxing and waiting for the ball to come to us. We have to create more cut in the circle and that will open it up for us. We just have to keep attacking the game.”
Controversially, I know they’re teammates but Koenen-Wood isn’t my preferred Aus attack so far this tournament, I do prefer Garbin but given the Magpies link i totally get why she’s not on yet.
From Emma in Cape Town
The smarts and patience of Steph Wood is on full display in this game.
There’s some thought that Marinkovich could run tall shooters Koenen and Sophie Garbin against Jamaica’s tall timber but Wood is showing her value with an effort that has included slotting 14 of 15 goal attempts, as well as having 10 goal assists and 10 shooter-to-shooter feeds so far.
She’s also had 11 centre pass receives in a workaholic effort.
Koenen is also doing a stellar job under enormous pressure, shooting at 95 per cent (18/19) in the opening half.
Marinkovich has not made any changes from the team that finished the first half, leaving her top team on, with the Aussies having the luxury of a day off ahead of the semi-finals.
BRAZ IS LOVING IT
“I love it, these are the games we wanna play,” the ex Collingwood star said. “Cardwell and Housby are out there working their magic. Early days we were testing things out but we’ve got on top of it. It’s always going to be physical with England, this is the kind of game you’re really playing for your country, not just your rivals but your ex teammates too.
HALF-TIME AUS 32-26 ENG
Tell you what, I know we can award goals to Sarah Klau but she’s the reason Australia have the four goal lead they do with a few minutes to the break. She’s made an increidble impact since coming on. Momentum with the Diamonds certainly in the latter stages of the half.
For England, Housby is back on court.
A wild few minutes and the Diamonds go into the break with a six goal lead.
terrific Australia performance 19-11 quarter there. England need changes.
Q2 10MINS AUS 23-22 ENG
Blood check from the umpire and time is halted for all players to be checked. Meanwhile, England ring the changes and Housby is off for the time being.
Some lovely movement in attack from Steph Wood, she’s trying to control the pace of this game - which is out of control. Wood opening things up where Koenen is running around like a bit of a headless chook.
Wood’s patience extends the Diamonds lead by two goals and England need to address their defensive issues.
Honestly, that Sue Gaudion is trying to say the supershot is the reason shooters can make long range goals is ridiculous. They’re shooters - there expected to be long and short range - the supershot has done nothing to improve netball.
Q2 5MINS AUS 18-18 ENG
Word from England coach Jess Thrilby live courtside: “It was a good start, a few things are creeping in - particularly our centre pass attack. We’re fortunate defnsively that we can wear teams down so we’re just playing things up with the changes. Right now we need to trust each other and keep giving the clean lines.”
Australia’s defence coming out very well this second quarter forcing the turnover form England and it’s paying off thanks to patience.
Ash Brazill doing Brazill things in WD and she’s a hand in getting the ball to Wood to level the score.
QUARTER TIME AUS 13-15 ENG
Klau on for Bruce in the dying moments for the Diamonds but I’m not convinced it’s that end that they’re having the issues.
Koenen not doubt wishing she had smaller feet in the dying moments, ball was fed beautifully into the circle but her hoof was over the line. Cheap turnover.
And again Australia caught out in the circle, Mentor getting the better of both shooters at this stage. Garbin needs to come on, change the dynamic ditto Hadley off for JLP.
Down the other end an ump call on Cardwell has got the crowd booing, no way was that a held ball.
From Emma Greenwood in Cape Town
The Roses have been playing some outstading netball through the early rounds, flying under the radar through the early rounds with the focus on Australia, New Zealand and Jamaica.
The Aussies have attracted plenty of whistle from umpire Gareth Fowler in the opening term, with his liberal use of the whistle frustrating the defenders.
But the Diamonds have also been sloppy with the ball and squandered what little turnover possession they won, with their two hard-won turnovers handed back to the opposition before they could convert them into game-equalling goals.
The Roses started with a line-up familiar to most of the Australian players, with Geva Mentor, Helen Housby and Eleanor Cardwell having played the most recent season of Super Netball and Layla Guscoth and Nat Metcalf.
Q1 10MINS AUS 7-12 ENG
Total disconnect in the Australian attack and Imogen Allison is there to scoop up the loose ball. Hadley into Wood isn’t running as smoothly as it did againat Malawi and England are taking full advantage.
Down the other end, Cardwell has ice in her veins and there is just nothing going wrong for England right now.
Q1 5MINS AUS 4-7 ENG
Jeez the pace of this match is surely unsustainable, end to end and it’s all rested on the errors of which Australia have made more handing their rivals the advantage by the smallest of margins.
Some scrappy offsides from Australia - Watson caught out, Australia just needs to slow it down and take some control on the pace of the game.
Q1 5:10PM FAT SHAMING STUNS NETBALL WORLD
Netball fans were left gobsmacked when a commentator called a player fat during a live broadcast at the World Cup.
The female commentator was attempting to praise one of the players during Tonga’s clash with Zimbabwe, but while the camera was fixed on the Zimbabwean goalshooter she made a brutal remark about weight.
“She is reminding me a lot of myself, she is fat but she can jump and get the ball at the same time,” the unnamed commentator said. “S**t.”
Even her co-commentator remarked at the time “you can’t say that.”
Nahhhhhh
— Mrs Amy Wright-Foster (@missamyleigh) August 1, 2023
"She is fat but can still jump" 🙈🙈#NWC2023pic.twitter.com/bKawYfgIjN
4:50PM SO MUCH INTEL
It’s going to be so interesting to see how much teammates have dished on each other going into this match.
Geva Mentor knows the ins and outs of Garbin in the circle so how much will her game plan change today? Ditto the Swifts girls and what they know of Helen Housby and Thunderbirds on Cardwell.
England will be one of the biggest tests for the Diamonds this World Cup and they have - what I think is - the best attack in world netball at the moment.
But I’m from England and I’m bias.
Big test will be how Housby and Cardwell perform without the super shot. Both phenomenal users of the bonus points in SSN, this is a different world.
4:45PM TEAMS IN
This one is big. pic.twitter.com/RpH7o6SIA9
— Origin Australian Diamonds (@AussieDiamonds) August 3, 2023
📰 Team news is in!
— England Netball (@EnglandNetball) August 3, 2023
Here's your starting seven to face Australia ðŸ´ó §ó ¢ó ¥ó ®ó §ó ¿ðŸ†šðŸ‡¦ðŸ‡º#NWC2023 | @NetballWorldCuppic.twitter.com/iEt2JMzkQ0
4:15PM DIAMONDS V ENGLAND: CAN POMS HANDLE BRAZBALL?
Stacey Marinkovich says she’s edging closer to finding her starting seven for the final stages in Cape Town.
The Diamonds coach has used every member of her 12-player squad in every game, except the round 3 drubbing of Fiji in which she rested veteran defensive midcourter Ash Brazill.
The Aussies take on England in what is effectively a World Cup quarter-final on Thursday, although both teams will advance to the final four regardless of the result.
The winner though, could have an easier path to the final, facing the loser of the clash between New Zealand and Jamaica and avoiding the form side until the final – assuming they make it that far.
Certainly, on form, the Aussies look as though they can make it through.
But England will pose a massive test.
The Roses have been in ominous form so far this tournament, although some of their players – their shooters in particular – have been forced to do a mountain of work in the early stages of the tournament.
Marinkovich, meanwhile, has had the luxury of being able to rotate her players often.
The opening match – and the game against Malawi – though, gave some insight into the coach’s “top team”.
In both their opening match of the tournament and their toughest test so far, against Malawi, the Diamonds have gone with the Sunshine Coast Lightning combination of Steph Wood and Cara Koenen in the shooting circle, with a midcourt of Liz Watson, Paige Hadley and Ash Brazill.
West Coast Fever pair Courtney Bruce and Sunday Aryang started the opening match against Zimbabwe, while Bruce and NSW Swifts defender Sarah Klau started against Malawi.
Marinkovich will use the England clash as a guide but said she is getting closer to knowing her preferred starters.
“I’m going to have a bit more of a look against England and see what that looks like and then we’ll see what we’re coming up against in the next final,” she said.
“I don’t think it’s set but we’ve just got to see what we’re coming up against and how we want to play it.”
The Silver Ferns face an incredibly tough turnaround ahead of their clash against Jamaica on Thursday, a match that will determine the semi-final seedings from their side of the tournament.
After playing out a draw on Wednesday night (South African time), the Kiwis had only about 12 hours to recover ahead of their match against Jamaica and the Sunshine Girls will head in as firm favourites.
The Aussies aren’t concerned about that though, keeping relatively blinkered in their preparations for the final stage of the event.
“It’s exciting to be able to go into these games,” Marinkovich said.
“I think we want to be able to put our performance into really good practice against the next level.
“There’s no special number. I think we look at these games and go, ‘if we win by this much, it could equate to this in a final’.
“But you’ve got to clear that from your mind completely, I think it’s actually understanding that it’s going to be different and it’ll start at a different intensity, but that’s what we thrive on.
“That’s why you want to play.”
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Originally published as Diamonds’ Netball World Cup 2023: Australia lose to England for the first time since 1963
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