Queensland Firebirds player Laura Geitz faces a spot to hold her Australian spot
LAURA Geitz is under siege from in-form Melbourne Vixen Bianca Chatfield to retain her run-on spot for next month's international series.
LAURA Geitz is under siege from in-form Melbourne Vixen Bianca Chatfield to retain her run-on spot for next month's international netball series.
Australia Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander named Geitz and her Queensland Firebirds teammates Natalie Medhurst and Chelsea Pitman in the side for the three-Test Constellation Cup series against New Zealand and the Quad-Series featuring Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa.
And veteran shooter Catherine Cox is in line to become the fourth player in Australian netball history to record 100 Test appearances.
Geitz, a member of last year's world championship winning outfit, should be a certainty in the starting seven after another consistently brilliant season in the trans-Tasman competition.
Her regular rival for the starting goal keeper spot, Susan Fuhrmann, was overlooked in favour of a more mobile defence.
"We took every avenue and thoroughly discussed every scenario and gave Susan every opportunity but the sort of person she is, she took it on the chin and wished everyone well which shows the type of person that she is," Alexander said.
There is another threat, however, from Vixens captain Chatfield who has demonstrated an ability to handle either the goal keeper, goal defence or wing defence positions.
Chatfield's slick combination with teammate Julie Corletto could also be a factor.
Unwanted last year by the Swifts, Cox has proven to be one of netball's great survivors by retaining her place.
Following an impressive debut season with new side West Coast Fever, Cox needs two more caps from the nine upcoming Tests to join Liz Ellis, Sharelle McMahon and Vicki Wilson as the only players to reach the century milestone in the national team's 74-year history.
Alexander named an extra three players in the squad of 15 as cover for skipper Natalie von Bertouch and Cox who must overcome niggles before playing their part for the Diamonds.
At the other end of the experience spectrum is Fever midcourter Ashleigh Brazill who has been given a chance to win her international debut.
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Madison Browne has also won a recall after an outstanding season for ANZ Championship runners-up the Vixens.
Australian Diamonds team: Natalie von Bertouch (captain Adelaide Thunderbirds)*, Catherine Cox (vice-captain West Coast Fever)*, Caitlin Bassett (West Coast Fever), Erin Bell (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Ashleigh Brazill (West Coast Fever), Madison Browne (Melbourne Vixens), Rebecca Bulley (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Bianca Chatfield (Melbourne Vixens), Julie Corletto (Melbourne Vixens), Laura Geitz (Queensland Firebirds), Mo'onia Gerrard (NSW Swifts), Kimberlee Green (NSW Swifts), Natalie Medhurst (Queensland Firebirds), Chelsea Pitman (Queensland Firebirds), Susan Pratley (NSW Swifts).
*subject to fitness