MATCHES
1st Test – Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Thu, Sep 19, 6:30pm local time, 7pm AEST (10am BST)
2nd Test – Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney)
Sun, Sep 22, 4pm AEST (7am BST)
3rd Test – Bendigo Stadium
Wed, Sep 25, 7pm AEST (10am BST)
TEAMS
Diamonds
Sunday Aryang
Kiera Austin
Sophie Dwyer
Rudi Ellis
Ash Ervin
Sophie Garbin
Matilda Garrett
Paige Hadley
Georgie Horjus
Sarah Klau
Cara Koenen
Kate Moloney
Amy Parmenter
Jamie-Lee Price
Liz Watson
Coach – Stacey Marinkovich
Roses
Imogen Allison
Eleanor Cardwell
Amy Carter
Beth Cobden
Funmi Fadoju
Alice Harvey
Helen Housby
Hannah Joseph
Nat Metcalf
Berri Neil
Lois Pearson
Razia Quashie
Ellie Rattu
Liv Tchine
Fran Williams
Coach – Jess Thirlby
UMPIRES
Angela Armstrong-Lush
Gareth Fowler
Ken Metekingi
HEAD TO HEAD
All Matches: 87
(Australia 78, England 8, Draws 1)
In Australia: 29
(Australia 27, England 2)
Last 15 Matches:
(Australia 11, England 3, Draws 1)
Funmi Fadoju gets airborne over Kiera Austin. Image: Danny Dalton
STRENGTHS
Diamonds
The Diamonds’ main area of strength is definitely their midcourt. They will run with an experienced combination that hasn’t changed too much since their Commonwealth Games and World Cup triumphs. Wing defence Ash Brazill has retired, but the attacking midcourt will see Liz Watson, Paige Hadley, Kate Moloney and Jamie-Lee Price all upping their game to try and make the match day 12. Their strength onto the ball and circle, control, and precision feeding of the shooting circle should give them an edge.
The biggest question mark will come over which combination will get the nod. While Moloney and Price have both been used at wing defence, specialist Amy Parmenter could be named at someone’s expense, while Sunday Aryang could also slide across from goal defence if needed.
A season spent together in the shooting circle has cemented a strong combination between Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin. The latter has been in fine form all season, using her creativity and timing to create space. Garbin has taken massive strides from the confidence of starting at goal shooter, week in, week out. Her timing and choice of angle on drives out of the circle are well-balanced, creating room for Austin’s sweeps and drives, and this harmony of structure has improved both their accuracy. The duo also share the load smoothly, creating headaches for any defenders trying to work as a unit.
Even without Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston, the Diamonds defensive unit is going to take up plenty of space. The height and wingspan of Sarah Klau, Ash Ervin, Rudi Ellis, Tilly Garrett and Sunday Aryang should provide a few headaches for the Roses’ midcourt as they connect with their circle. Key to the Diamonds success will be how effectively they shut down those connections, with Garrett or Aryang tasked to run with Housby. While it’s the most inexperienced end of the Diamonds, there’s plenty of opportunities to disrupt ball.
Liz Watson will lead from the front. Image May Bailey l Clusterpix
Roses
With five experienced members of their team – Geva Mentor, Layla Gusgoth, Laura Malcolm, Jade Clarke and Chelsea Pitman – having moved on, the Roses are bringing a blend of youth and experience to Australian shores. They’ve also opted for a more balanced squad – less wing defence heavy than in previous years, and with several genuine wing attack options. And in contrast to the Diamonds, they will have had a lengthier preparation, which bodes well for their connections.
After a horrific run with injuries, wing defence Beth Cobden is a welcome sight back in the England squad, and her potential combination across the defensive transverse line with Funmi Fadoju is exciting. Both have proven instincts to win ball, as well as the reach and timing to create lifted passes for back players. Combined with the defensive leadership of captain Fran Williams, the Roses could create havoc in an Australian forward line that likes to play with speed.
With Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston missing from the Australian team, England has an experienced shooting duo that could take advantage of any weakness in a less experienced Diamonds’ defence. Eleanor Cardwell is only playing the Australian leg of the Roses’ tour, so coach Jess Thirlby will no doubt be looking to utilise her combination with Helen Housby in these three tests. Housby always takes her game up a notch in the England dress, and is always a big danger to any opponents.
Helen Housby after shooting the winning goal for England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Image Marcela Massey
CHALLENGES
Diamonds
Perhaps Stacey Marinkovich’s biggest challenge will be how she integrates her handful of newer players into the Diamonds with the long term in mind. All five midcourters range in age from 27 to 32, with youthful squad member Hannah Mundy not selected for the series. Meanwhile, three of Australia’s key defenders are aged between 29 and 30, including sidelined incumbents Jo Weston and Courtney Bruce. Add an additional three years on until the 2027 World Cup, and it’s uncertain if the physical demands of netball means they will all go the distance. While there’s no substitute for experience, this current international season is the perfect time to start bringing some youth into the mix.
Despite World Netball updating the rules, little changed during Suncorp Super Netball this season with significant contesting allowed. The Diamonds will now fall under the watchful eyes of a New Zealand umpiring panel, who weren’t afraid to bench ANZ Premiership players for infringing the new rules. While Stacey Marinkovich’s side will work with the umpires before the test series, to understand their interpretation of the rules, the Diamonds will need to adapt quickly, or find themselves out of play and off the court.
If Australia have a weakness, it’s in their defensive end with their two most experienced campaigners Bruce and Weston both out of action. While Klau and Aryang remain from the World Cup XII, it’s almost certain that Ervin or Ellis will debut at goal keeper at some point, while Tilly Garrett will likely add to her handful of caps at goal defence. With two newcomers in the mix, Klau and Aryang will need to work overtime to provide leadership and support.
The international retirement of former vice-captain Steph Fretwell leaves a gaping hole in the Diamonds’ attacking end. Her timing, creativity and ability to create space is hard to match, so it will be fascinating to see how Austin, Sophie Dwyer and potential debutante Georgie Horjus gel their shooters. The Austin/Garbin connection is well-drilled – Cara Koenen has had court time with Dwyer, but could potentially be a better match with Horjus who plays a more similar game to Fretwell.
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