Aussies name netball squad for NZ, Malawi

The Australian Diamonds have named two squads for upcoming netball Test series against New Zealand and Malawi.

Australian netball coach Lisa Alexander has named two separate squads for the September series against New Zealand and the two-Test series against Malawi starting next month.

Shooters Caitlin Thwaites and Natalie Medhurst, midcourter Kim Green and defenders Laura Geitz and Bianca Chatfield all returned to the Diamonds team after missing January's tour of England.

Defender Sharni Layton also returns to the national team for the first time since 2011 after injury prevented the defender from taking part in international duties last year.

With an eye to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, national selectors have included Demelza McCloud for the first time since 2005, alongside the uncapped Paige Hadley in the 12-player squad to take on Malawi.

McCloud retired from netball in 2010, then made a brief appearance with the Melbourne Vixens as an injury replacement player, before returning fulltime to the ANZ Championship with the Southern Steel in 2011.

"We've identified this team with one eye on next year's Commonwealth Games, we want to give our athletes the opportunity to gel as a unit on and off the court," Alexander said.

"The two series against New Zealand and Malawi have provided us with an opportunity to work with a high quality group of athletes in excellent form in preparation for next year."

The Diamonds head into the 2013 internationals minus 252 Tests of experience following the retirement of captain Natalie Von Bertouch (69) after the ANZ Championship grand final, the withdrawal of veteran Catherine Cox (108) this week and Mo'onia Gerrard's (68) switch to rugby sevens.

"There's no denying that we've lost a great deal of experience for this year's Test series but those experienced athletes have played a significant role in helping to prepare this next group of athletes for the previous couple of years," Alexander said.

Kim Ravaillion has retained her spot in the Diamonds following her international debut against England earlier this year but will be replaced by NSW Swifts rising star Hadley for the Malawi Tests with Chatfield dropping out for McCloud.

The 2013 Constellation Cup between the Australian Diamonds and New Zealand Silver Ferns starts on September 15 in Invercargill with the first Malawi Test in Wollongong on October 16.

Australia squad for NZ series: Caitlin Bassett, Erin Bell, Madison Browne, Rebecca Bulley, Bianca Chatfield, Laura Geitz, Kim Green, Renae Hallinan, Sharni Layton, Natalie Medhurst, Kim Ravaillion, Caitlin Thwaites.

Australia squad for Malawi series: Caitlin Bassett, Erin Bell, Madison Browne, Rebecca Bulley, Laura Geitz, Kim Green, Paige Hadley, Renae Hallinan, Demelza McCloud, Sharni Layton, Natalie Medhurst, Caitlin Thwaites.


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Source: AAP


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