Constellation Cup: Caitlin Bassett gets first shot at regaining permanent Diamonds captaincy

The Diamonds’ captaincy call has taken another twist, with former skipper Caitlin Bassett to lead Australia on Tuesday night against the Silver Ferns.

Caitlin Bassett will captain the Diamonds against the Silver Ferns. Picture: AAP Image/Richard Wainwright

Despite being stripped of the permanent Diamonds captaincy as part of new coach Stacey Marinkovich’s leadership overhaul, Caitlin Bassett has been named Australia’s skipper for Tuesday night’s opening game of the Constellation Cup series against New Zealand.

Marinkovich elected not to name a captain for the Diamonds’ tour of New Zealand after dismantling the team’s previous leadership group that was headed by Bassett.

Instead, a captain will be named for each of Australia’s four games against the Silver Ferns in Christchurch.

As part of the Diamonds’ “shared leadership approach for this series”, the first captaincy pick is goal shooter Bassett, who has quit the Super Netball competition to join New Zealand club Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic due mainly to her frustration with the two-point “Super Shot” used in the Australian competition.

Trans-Tasman Netball is back! 🏐
The @AussieDiamonds 🇦🇺 have landed in 🇳🇿 ahead of their Constellation Cup series against the Silver Ferns. The High Commissioner had the pleasure of talking to Diamonds player Caitlin Bassett from MIQ about the upcoming series. Watch below ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/K5InWu9Ywa

— Australia in NZ (@AusHCNZ) February 25, 2021

Five players – Kiera Austin, Verity Charles, Sophie Garbin, Kim Jenner and Cara Koenen – could make their Diamonds debuts on Tuesday night, with Marinkovich opting for some fresh faces in her 12-strong match squad.

Tuesday’s match will be the Diamonds first Test since October 27, 2019, when they beat the Silver Ferns in Perth to retain the Constellation Cup.

Diamonds squad: Kiera Austin (Giants Netball), Caitlin Bassett (Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic), Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever), Verity Charles (West Coast Fever), Sophie Garbin (NSW Swifts), Kim Jenner (Queensland Firebirds), Cara Koenen (Sunshine Coast Lightning), Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts), Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens), Gabi Simpson (Queensland Firebirds), Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens), Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens).

Originally published as Constellation Cup: Caitlin Bassett gets first shot at regaining permanent Diamonds captaincy