Diamonds channel Serena to stay world No.1

The Diamonds understand well the advantageous yet equally unenviable position in which their global netball dominance leaves them for the home World Cup.

The Diamonds are borrowing from another world No.1 - Serena Williams - for their netball world title defence.

They have adopted the catchphrase "pressure is a privilege" from the tennis star to deal with the weight of expectation of a Netball World Cup on home soil.

"Serena said it last year and we've sort of run with that," says Australian vice-captain Kim Green.

"I think it's an absolute privilege to be in the position we're in.

"We've spoken about it for a couple of years now, full knowing that we've got the World Cup in Sydney."

Coach Lisa Alexander and her Diamonds understand well the pros and cons of their sustained global dominance going into the World Cup in Sydney starting on Friday.

A home crowd means unmatchable support, but the fans are ultimately coming to watch them win the silverware for a third consecutive time and anything less would come as a surprise.

The women in green and gold have history on their side with 10 titles - one of them shared - from 13 previous championships.

However history becomes uncomfortably less relevant with the departure of the round-robin format in place since the world titles' inception in 1963.

The remodelling has ensured the top-ranked nations play each other in the early stages of the competition.

For Australia that means clashing with world No.2 New Zealand in their third match before almost certainly meeting again in the finals.

They'll also face either third-ranked England or fourth-ranked Jamaica in the second pool phase.

"The format is designed to suit the fans - it doesn't necessarily suit the coaching staff or comparisons to history," said Alexander, who is coaching her first World Cup.

"Because this is very different to what other coaches have had to confront at an international level.

"I don't see it as a bad thing. It's another mountain for us to climb, another point of conquering.

"Can we get there and maintain our form through the tournament, and then perform even better in the finals?"

A capacity to adapt will be key, and never more so than against the Silver Ferns.

The old rivals have brought a new-look line-up, from which goal shooter Cathrine Latu is one of a few high-profile absentees.

The New Zealand teams' dire record against Australian opposition in the recent trans-Tasman club competition has prompted suggestions that England may present the bigger threat this time.

But Alexander remains wary of the Silver Ferns.

She has focussed on building up depth and versatility in her Laura Geitz-led team and believes they have achieved that.

Throw any combination of seven from this squad on court, she says, and they will still arguably be the best in the world.

Granted, they are without injured midcourt star Madi Robinson, along with retired defender Bianca Chatfield.

Audacious young midcourter Paige Hadley and shut-down defender Rebecca Bulley have the chance to step up in their places, while another who gets a chance is goal attack Erin Bell, who boasts a prolific long-range shot but is unproven at international level since 2013.

While sticking to the Diamonds' classic one-on-one defence and short, sharp attack that's been the centrepiece of their 19-Test winning streak, they'll also spring a few surprises.

"We like to keep our traditional sort of game - the Aussie way of playing," said Green.

"However there are quite a few things we're working on to make sure we aren't just doing the same over and we're not predictable."

The Diamonds have not been defeated September 2013, a run that has them closing in on Australia's three most successful netball sides.

Alexander wants to leave a fresh legacy.

But she knows big goals are only achieved when the focus stays in close range.

"This is what people don't understand who aren't involved in the inner sanctum of the team: nobody gets ahead of themselves in the Australian team," Alexander said.

"We understand that we've got a great legacy and history, but it doesn't just happen by chance - you have to work really hard to get there and maintain that success.

"We actually see the home crowd as an advantage, to use that great support to assist us to higher heights.

"And make no mistake, we're our harshest critics. If something is amiss we'll be pouncing on it straight away."

DIAMONDS SCHEDULE - All Phones Arena:

First phase

Australia v Trinidad and Tobago - August 7, 9.05pm

Barbados v Australia - August 8, 3.20pm

Australia v New Zealand - August 9, 2.20pm

AUSTRALIA'S WORLD CUP HISTORY:

* 1963 - 1st

* 1967 - 2nd

* 1971 - 1st

* 1975 - 1st

* 1979 - 1st

* 1983 - 1st

* 1987 - 2nd

* 1991 - 1st

* 1995 - 1st

* 1999 - 1st

* 2003 - 2nd

* 2007 - 1st

* 2011 - 1st


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Source: AAP


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