Constellation Cup: Quarantined Diamonds step up preparations with internal trial

Diamonds spots are on the line ahead of Tuesday’s Constellation Cup clash against New Zealand.

Liz Watson (right) will be back in action for the Diamonds against New Zealand next week. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The Diamonds’ preparations for the Constellation Cup series against New Zealand take a much-needed intensity boost on Friday with an internal trial.

The Australians remain in quarantine in a Christchurch hotel but have slowly upped their training since the easing of restrictions last Monday.

The players have been careful not go too hard too early since returning to court, however Friday’s training game is set to be a no-holds-barred affair, with positions up for grabs in new coach Stacey Marinkovich’s team ahead of Tuesday’s opening clash of the four-game series.

“We’re such a competitive bunch, so when we get out on court we want to go as hard as we can,” Diamonds star Liz Watson said.

“We’re starting to really build up now. (On Friday) we’ll have a practice match amongst each other, which will be great.

“It’s been a challenge to hold us back a little bit but also see and grow those combinations out there.

“(Friday’s) practice match will give us a bit more of an indication of who will be that first 12 going forward, but Stacey’s made it clear that everyone here is up for selection.”

Day 8 + Day 9 = ☑️☑️
Thanks for the update @joannamweston 🤩 pic.twitter.com/clCR0OTWYi

— Origin Diamonds (@AussieDiamonds) February 24, 2021

Quarantine ends on Monday, with Watson saying two weeks together in a hotel “camp” would prove vital to a Diamonds side adjusting to life under Marinkovich.

“It’s so good that we get to spend this time together,” she said.

“We’ve scheduled different meetings, court work, gym all these kind of things which is the perfect point for us to do that with a new coach and new staff.

“Stacey’s been awesome in setting the program very clear from the start.

“There’s a good combination between that enthusiasm and wanting to go out there and try new things, but also taking into consideration what we’ve done in the previous years, the players that we have, the experience that we have, as well the next cycle of Diamonds athletes.”

Watson, a former Diamonds vice-captain, praised Marinkovich for overhauling the squad’s leadership structure, including decision not to appoint a captain for the tour to New Zealand.

“What Stacey has done at this point in time where we are as a squad is perfect,” Watson said.

“We are developing as a group and that’s on-court and how we play, but it’s also off-court and our leadership, and how we want to see that going.

“We’ve got leaders across the whole squad. Everyone is naturally stepping up in different roles, and it does feel relaxed.

“It’s something that can’t be rushed if we appoint a captain or a vice or a leadership group.”

Originally published as Constellation Cup: Quarantined Diamonds step up preparations with internal trial