Umpire crackdown could force Diamonds to tone down physical force

The Diamonds may have to put a lid on their physicality as World Cup umpires crack down on teams playing on the edge.

Caitlin Bassett competes against Zimbabwe’s Joice Takaidza at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool. Picture: Getty Images

The Diamonds may have to put a lid on their physicality or face the prospect of losing tight contests deeper in the World Cup, as neutral umpires crack down on teams playing on the edge.

Netball’s aggression has reached new levels in the world’s top competitions, particularly Australia’s Super Netball, New Zealand’s ANZ Premiership and England’s Superleague.

But the neutral umpires in Liverpool are not as accustomed to such sheer levels of force, and whistles are already being blown left, right and centre.

All of Australia’s squad play in the highly physical Super Netball league and count physicality as one of their primary strengths. But the defending world champions will have to rein it in if the opening days of competition are anything to go by.

On Friday Uganda were forced to finish almost the entire final quarter of their feisty opening 64-32 defeat to England with six players after Stella Oyella received the first permanent send-off in World Cup history. The centre was said to have hauled Jade Clarke to the ground just after returning from the sin bin.

“I actually have never seen someone sent off permanently from a game,” England coach Tracey Neville said afterwards.

“You have to have sympathy. (Uganda) don’t get out on the international circuit that much and they will learn from that.”

On Saturday the umpire again had a big say in the flow of Australia’s scrappy 73-37 win over Zimbabwe. Captain Caitlin Bassett in particular attracted a lot of attention, giving away five contact penalties and 10 turnovers despite being named player of the match for shooting 49 from 53 at 92 per cent accuracy.

“It was tough at times but I guess that’s when we really have to take control and realise when the ball is in our hands we have to be smart and use it,” Bassett said.

“Different styles of play different umpires are used to, so we had to come off the body a bit more, and myself in particular had to get off the body on the whole.

“We’re really used to physical play in our competition in Australia. There was physicality against Zimbabwe but it wasn’t dangerous or out of control and I think that’s what the umpires are really going to be tight on.

“We don’t want anyone getting hurt or injured but we still need to be able to contest the ball which is the great thing about our play.”

Diplomatic coach Lisa Alexander said she would “have a chat” to officials.

“It’s always hard,” Alexander said. “They’re at their first tournament at international level for ages but we’ll sort that out.”

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