Aust netball champs ready for England

Australia's three-Test series with England will give fans a look to the future, as Lisa Alexander unleashes a youthful squad.

Australia's youthful, new-look netball world champions are ready to achieve even greater feats as coach Lisa Alexander sets her sights on the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The Diamonds enter 2016 as World Cup winners and the undisputed No.1 team on the planet, with their first challenge of the new year to erase memories of a three-nil whitewash to England three years ago.

At Alexander's disposal is a vastly different outfit to that which romped to World Cup glory in Sydney in August - with just five members retained, due to a string of retirements and injuries.

Veteran trio Kim Green, Rebecca Bulley and Julie Corletto all called time on their international careers amid the World Cup celebrations, while skipper Laura Geitz and rising star Kim Ravaillion have been rested due to their incredible workloads over the past two years.

What remains is a vibrant squad, a rookie leadership group - led by acting captain Clare McMeniman - and a blank canvas for Alexander.

But the sweeping changes don't intimidate Alexander, who insists Australia are taking the three-Test series - which starts in Liverpool on Wednesday (Thursday 0600 AEDT) - more seriously than their most recent injury-ravaged capitulation in England.

"I have no fond memories (of that tour). Getting a lot of injuries is the main memory," Alexander told AAP.

"I think last time we probably took it a little bit more (as if) we just tried to incorporate netball games into a pre-season.

"This time it's much more that the netball games are the important thing."

While the 2018 Games on the Gold Coast are still two-and-a-half years away, Alexander admitted long-term plans were always an important consideration - especially during a period of major personnel change.

She intends to use all 12 members of Australia's touring squad across the three Tests to get a gauge of the team's long-term prospects - but she's adamant it won't come at the expense of victories.

"I personally hate losing and I don't think you get anything out of practising losing," Alexander explained.

"We're here to win and we're here to win big if we can. We want to hold onto our No.1 ranking in the world as well.

"This group is extremely motivated to continue that level of success and winning culture."

Tour of England

* First Test: Jan 20, Echo Arena, Liverpool (0600 Thursday AEDT)

* Second Test: Jan 22, Copper Box Arena, London (0600 Saturday AEDT)

* Third Test: Jan 24, Copper Box Arena, London (0600 Sunday AEDT)


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Source: AAP



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