Australian Diamonds have received a boost ahead of Sunday’s international Test against England with the return of captain Natalie von Bertouch from injury.
Von Bertouch has overcome an ankle injury, suffered against the New Zealand Silver Ferns in Sydney last week, to be named in coach Lisa Alexander’s 12-player team while Chelsea Pitman has missed out on selection.
“It’s a comforting through knowing that we’ll have our captain back, not that I think we missed a beat the other night against South Africa, I thought Madison (Browne) and Renae (Hallinan) did a terrific job in centre but you don’t replace and captain and leader overnight,” Alexander said.
“It will be great to have her leadership and international experience back out there on court, she’s shown some great strides forward, particular in that first quarter against the Silver Ferns so we’re really excited for her to get her opportunity again.”
The Diamonds will be looking to make it two in a row against England after beating them 64-40 in the opening game of the Quad-Series in Adelaide two weeks ago.
England come into the fifth leg of the Quad-Series at TECT Arena in Tauranga brimming with confidence after giving the Silver Ferns a scare in Wellington on Thursday, going down 57-46 despite leading at half-time.
“We know this is going to be a tough game so we’re really need to attend to all our team behaviours that we’ve been working on, making sure we’ve got our structures right, we’ve got our talk right and our intensity is there,” Alexander said.
Australian Diamonds team to play England:
Caitlin Bassett, Erin Bell, Madison Browne, Rebecca Bulley, Bianca Chatfield, Catherine Cox, Renae Hallinan, Mo’onia Gerrard, Chanel Gomes, Susan Pratley, Caitlin Thwaites, Natalie von Bertouch (captain)
