Australian Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich has named a 12-strong team for this month’s Constellation Cup against New Zealand, which includes 2023 Swifts Paige Hadley and Sarah Klau.
Marinkovich has recalled the Diamonds World Cup-winning team after their recent success in Cape Town.
Goaler Sophie Dwyer and midcourter Kate Moloney come into the team after Ash Brazill and Steph Wood stepped away from international duties.
The Diamonds begin a training camp in Canberra this Thursday before the opening match of the Constellation Cup at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena a week later.
Marking the Australian Netball Team’s 500th test match, the Diamonds will then host the Silver Ferns at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Sunday 15 October before crossing the Tasman.
Tippah Dwan, Ash Ervin, Hannah Mundy and Alice Teague-Neeld will also join the Diamonds 2023-24 squad at the training camp as invitees.
Marinkovich and the national selectors will name the team to take on the South African Proteas following the training camp.
The Diamonds will play their first-ever test matches in Cairns and Hobart when they host South Africa in the three-match series from Wednesday 25 October to Tuesday 31 October.
2023 Swifts Midcourter Maddy Proud is unavailable for selection for both Series after having surgery on a knee injury.
Marinkovich said the Constellation Cup team was selected off the back of the Diamonds' successful World Cup campaign.
“We want to acknowledge and reward the performance of the team that got the job done in Cape Town,” Marinkovich said.
“Sophie and Kate have contributed to the success of the Diamonds over the past 18 months, and this is another opportunity to showcase their skillset.
“To have the entire squad together for a training camp, with some fresh faces, brings a lot of energy and I am excited to see how that translates within the training environment. It also shows we are looking forward to our selection for the South Africa Series and ensuring we continue to grow our depth.
“The Constellation Cup has grown in significance as we haven’t played the Silver Ferns at the most recent Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup. It’s great to see the traditional rivalry on centre stage and we look forward to challenging our brand of netball against our oldest rivals.”
The Constellation Cup will be available to watch on Fox Netball plus free and live on Kayo Freebies.
Australian Diamonds 2023 Constellation Cup team
- Sunday Aryang
- Kiera Austin
- Courtney Bruce
- Sophie Dwyer
- Sophie Garbin
- Paige Hadley
- Sarah Klau
- Cara Koenen
- Kate Moloney
- Jamie-Lee Price
- Liz Watson
- Jo Weston
