The Origin Australian Diamonds are preparing to take on the England Roses on home soil for the first time in four years.
With the Netball World Cup next year, the series gives both sides the opportunity to test new combinations and see how they match up. Having lost to the Diamonds in the semi-final of this year’s Commonwealth Games the Roses will be looking to right their wrongs, with the Diamonds keen to stay on top.
The Diamonds have a strong record against the Roses with 71 out of their 79 meetings resulting in a win for the Australians.
However, England cannot be underestimated with 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medallists Geva Mentor, Jo Harten, Helen Housby, Jade Clarke, Natalie Metcalf and Beth Cobden set to don the dress in the Australia vs England series.
The Diamonds will take in six of their 2022 Commonwealth Games gold medal winning team with Paige Hadley, Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney and Jo Weston named in the squad.
Diamonds’ gold medallist Gretel Bueta was also selected but has withdrawn to focus on her family with the star shooter recently announcing she is pregnant with her second child.
The Diamonds will have six of their Commonwealth Games winning team for the test series.
Image: Commonwealth Games AustraliaHEAD-TO-HEAD
The Diamonds shooters Kiera Austin, Sophie Garbin, Cara Koenen and Donnell Wallam will have to go up against Roses’ juggernaut Geva Mentor and equally skilled defenders Layla Guscoth, Funmi Fadoju, Alice Harvey and Francesca Williams.
Down the other end of the court, Diamonds defender Courtney Bruce will present a challenge for the Roses with Bruce in the top four interceptors throughout the most recent Commonwealth Games. She caused havoc for the Roses in the semi-final, tallying up five deflections when they last met. Jo Weston will also put doubt into the minds of England. Weston had a stellar fourth quarter against the Roses when they played for the Netball Quad Series trophy in January.
Although, England’s attacking end will be strong with Eleanor Cardwell leading the way. Cardwell was fourth for the number of goals at the Commonwealth Games and second in the England’s Vitality Super League for season 2022. Alongside Cardwell will be fierce shooting duo Jo Harten and Helen Housby with Olivia Tchine, Natalie Metcalf and Sophie Drakeford-Lewis also in the squad. Metcalf and Drakeford-Lewis both have the ability to swing between goal attack and wing attack if required adding another dimension to their attack end, however, the Diamonds also have that luxury in Kiera Austin.
Excitingly for the sport, not only will the Diamonds and Roses face off on Australian soil but so will the Australian and England Men’s teams. The Australian Men's team and the England Thorns will play a curtain raiser match at the Sydney game on Sunday 30 October.
Australian audiences can watch live and free on Kayo Freebies and Foxtel. For full broadcast information click here.
More information on the Australia vs England series and merchandise can be found here.
