Netball Australia have confirmed that Melbourne will host the third Constellation Cup Test against the Silver Ferns in late October.
All smiles as captain Casey Kopua (L) hugs fellow defender Katrina Grant at training. Photo: Photosport
The Test at Hisense Arena on October the 25th will be the third in the series, and the first of the Diamonds' two Test matches on home soil, following champions Australia's hosting of next month's World Cup in Sydney, which starts on the 7th of August.
The 2015 Constellation Cup series kicks off with two Tests in New Zealand, beginning at Horncastle Arena in Christchurch on the 20th of October, followed by the second Test at Vector Arena, Auckland on the 22nd of October.
The Diamonds, defending Constellation Cup holders, will wrap up the international season with a fourth and final Test at Perth Arena, Perth, on the 30th of October.
The Australian coach Lisa Alexander is looking forward to the match-up with the Silver Ferns, who are favourites to meet the Diamonds yet again in the World Cup final.
"There's no better rivalry in international netball than the Constellation Cup between the Diamonds and Silver Ferns, so we're excited to be bringing the world's best netballers to Melbourne," Alexander said.
Australia has won three of the four Constellation Cup Tests against the Silver Ferns played in Melbourne since the trophy was introduced in 2010.