Commonwealth Games: Diamonds brace for Barbados bravado

THE Diamonds are braced for some Caribbean crash and bash when Australia takes on Barbados tonight as their quest continues for a fourth Commonwealth Games netball gold medal.

THE Diamonds are braced for some Caribbean crash and bash when Australia takes on Barbados tonight.

DAY TWO: LIVE ACTION FROM THE GOLD COAST

The reigning world champions opened their quest for Australia’s fourth Commonwealth Games netball gold medal with a relentless and ruthless 94-26 thrashing of Northern Ireland at the Gold Coast Convention Centre last night.

GOLD RUSH: REVENGE AND REDEMPTION

But Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander says things are about to get tougher and rougher for her side that were “clinical” as they bullied Northern Ireland from the first centre pass with Caitlin Thwaites (39 goals) and captain Caitlin Bassett (31 goals) cashing in on Australia’s suffocating defensive pressure.

“There will definitely be much more physicality against Barbados,” Alexander said.

“They have that more athletic aerial game so we are just going to have to play a bit smarter and make sure we are not putting the high balls in that will get crunched on.

Australia’s Laura Geitz and Oonagh McCullough of Northern Ireland compete for the ball during the Diamonds’ dominate victory in their opening match. Picture: Getty Images

“We have to use our ball speed and angles well and I think we can build on what we did against Northern Ireland but it will be tougher.’’

The Diamonds put on a masterclass against Northern Ireland with the contest all but over at quarter-time when the home nation led 23-9 after shooting at 92 per cent and forcing 10 turnovers.

Comeback Queen Laura Geitz and Gabi Simpson put immense pressure on the long, looping passes from Northern Ireland while Australia was sharp and direct with its ball movement as it raced to a 44-15 buffer at halftime.

Captain Caitlin Bassett fires off a pass against Northern Ireland. Picture: Getty Images

Alexander rung the changes after the main break with all 12 players getting valuable court time and the carnage mercilessly continued as Australia surpassed the 42-goal winning margin from the last meeting between the two nations at the 2011 World Cup in Singapore.

Caitlin Bassett has eyes only for the ball. Picture: Getty Images

Laura Geitz (left) and Lisa Bowman contest for the ball.

Liz Watson started at centre instead of regular midcourt playmaker Kim Ravaillion but Alexander said the move was more about managing workloads.

While they were absolutely dominant, Alexander said there was always room for improvement.

“The connection between different combinations was good but there were some little pieces of indecision and perhaps not letting the ball go quickly enough in attack,’’ Alexander said.

“And just some footwork and getting our angles right in defence need some work but the second half defence was outstanding.

“We really came off the body and really used our anticipation very well so that was excellent.”

Some of Australia’s main gold medal rivals enjoyed easy wins yesterday with Jamaica thrashing Fiji to the tune of 88-30, while England belted Scotland in a 74-28 romp.

After a slow start, New Zealand eventually — and unconvincingly — claimed a 64-51 win over the plucky Uganda.

Originally published as Commonwealth Games: Diamonds brace for Barbados bravado