Australia have named an extended 15-player netball squad, including four debutants, for October's four-Test Constellation Cup series against the Silver Ferns.
The Australian Diamonds on their way to their recent World Cup defence Photo: Photosport
Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander and national selectors have opted for an extended squad, which includes nine players returning from Australia's triumphant Netball World Cup campaign in August.
Following the retirements of defenders Julie Corletto and Rebecca Bulley, and the international retirement of vice-captain Kim Green, Alexander has named the uncapped Queensland Firebirds shooter Gretel Tippett, the West Coast Fever captain Ashleigh Brazill, the Firebirds midcourter Gabi Simpson and the Melbourne Vixens defender Joanna Weston.
Along with the quartet, defenders Clare McMeniman and April Letton have earnt recalls to the green and gold, joining World Cup winners Laura Geitz - who's again the captain - Caitlin Bassett, Erin Bell, Paige Hadley, Renae Ingles (nee Hallinan), Sharni Layton, Natalie Medhurst, Kim Ravaillion and Caitlin Thwaites.
"We're thrilled that all nine Netball World Cup players made themselves available for Constellation Cup selection," Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said.
"The Constellation Cup not only gives us the chance to write the next chapter in our storied rivalry with the Silver Ferns but the opportunity to reward those previously on the cusp of selection and working hard in our squad."
Brazill may finally get her opportunity to pull on the green and gold, three years after a knee injury prevented the midcourter from making her international debut.
Young guns Tippett and Simpson have been rewarded with maiden selections for breakout seasons with ANZ Championship premiers the Firebirds, while Weston continued to stake her claim as a future Diamonds defender.
The Constellation Cup series will be the first time that the Diamonds have taken the court since defeating the Silver Ferns by three goals to win a third consecutive Netball World Cup title at Allphones Arena in August.
The series begins on Tuesday October the 20th in Christchurch, and includes Tests in Auckland two days later, then in Melbourne on October the 25th and in Perth on October the 30th.
Australia:
Player (state / ANZ Championship team)
Caitlin Bassett (WA/West Coast Fever)
Ashleigh Brazill (NSW/West Coast Fever)
Erin Bell (NSW/Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Laura Geitz (QLD/Queensland Firebirds)
Paige Hadley (NSW/NSW Swifts)
Renae Ingles (nee Hallinan) (VIC/Adelaide Thunderbirds)
Sharni Layton (VIC/NSW Swifts)
April Letton (NSW/West Coast Fever)
Clare McMeniman (QLD/Queensland Firebirds)
Natalie Medhurst (SA/West Coast Fever)
Kim Ravaillion (NSW/Queensland Firebirds)
Gabi Simpson (NSW/Queensland Firebirds)
Caitlin Thwaites (VIC/NSW Swifts)
Gretel Tippett (QLD/Queensland Firebirds)
Joanna Weston (VIC/Melbourne Vixens)