The Australian Diamonds depart tonight for a two-week tour of England where they will contest a three-Test Series against the England Roses.
It’s the first time since 2013 that the Diamonds are contesting a Test series in England, which the Roses won 3-0.
The Diamonds have beaten England in their past four meetings; the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, a two-Test series in Australia in October, 2014, and the Netball World Cup SYDNEY 2015.
The Diamonds will take on England at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on January 20 (local time) and Copper Box Arena in London on January 22 (local time) and January 24 (local time).
Click here for a copy of the Australian Diamonds 2016 England Tour Media Guide.
Queensland Firebirds defender Clare McMeniman has been named acting captain of the Diamonds for the series with West Coast Fever shooter and reigning Liz Ellis Diamond winner Caitlin Bassett and NSW Swifts defender Sharni Layton acting joint vice-captains.
The touring party contains five members of Australia’s triumphant 2015 Netball World Cup team in Bassett, Layton, Natalie Medhurst, Caitlin Thwaites and Paige Hadley.
Melbourne Vixens midcourter Liz Watson is the only athlete in the team of 12 yet to make her international debut.
Medhurst is the most experienced player in the team, having played 77 Tests.
Australian Diamonds team for England Tour
NAME (state of origin/ANZ Championship team)
Caitlin Bassett (WA/West Coast Fever)
Ashleigh Brazill (NSW/West Coast Fever)
April Brandley (nee Letton) (NSW/West Coast Fever)
Paige Hadley (NSW/NSW Swifts)
Sharni Layton (VIC/NSW Swifts)
Clare McMeniman (QLD/Queensland Firebirds)
Natalie Medhurst (SA/West Coast Fever)
Gabi Simpson (NSW/Queensland Firebirds)
Caitlin Thwaites (VIC/NSW Swifts)
Gretel Tippett (QLD/Queensland Firebirds)
Liz Watson (VIC/Melbourne Vixens)
Jo Weston (VIC/Melbourne Vixens)
Kristiana Manu’a (NSW/Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic)*
Stephanie Wood (QLD/NSW Swifts)*
