Injury has played a hand in finalising both line-ups to contest the opening Holden Netball Test Series showdown in Melbourne this Sunday afternoon, October 26 at the Hisense Arena.
Experienced Australian shooter, Cath Cox has been ruled out of the series with an ankle injury, joining Australian captain Sharelle McMahon on the sidelines.
Australian coach, Norma Plummer has kept faith with the same 12 who made a clean sweep of their two-Test series against world number 3 England earlier this month.
Young West Coast Fever goal shooter, Caitlin Bassett joins Susan Pratley, Natalie Medhurst and Kate Beveridge in leading Australia’s offensive charge.
Silver Ferns coach, Ruth Aitken has decided to bring injured skipper, Julie Seymour on tour in the hope she recovers from an Achilles strain in time for the second Test in Brisbane on November 2.
Midcourters, Liana Barrett-Chase and Wendy Telfer come into the Ferns line-up. Defender, Leana de Bruin has been omitted from the team which won their recent series against England 2-1.
Australian Diamonds
Caitlin Bassett –GS/GA
Kate Beveridge – GS/GA
Rebecca Bulley – GK/GD
Bianca Chatfield – GK/GD
Laura Geitz – GK/GD
Mo’onia Gerrard – GD/WD
Kimberlee Green – C/WA
Natalie Medhurst – GA/GS
Lauren Nourse – WA/C
Susan Pratley – GA/GS
Julie Prendergast – GD/WD
Natalie von Bertouch – C/WA
Coach: Norma Plummer
New Zealand Silver Ferns
Liana Barrett-Chase –C/WA
Maree Bowden – WA/C
Katrina Grant –GD/GK
Paula Griffin – GA/GS
Joline Henry – GD/WD
Laura Langman – C/WA/WD
Sheryl Scanlan – GD/WD
Julie Seymour (not 1st Test) – C/WD
Wendy Telfer- C/WD/WA
Maria Tutaia – GA/GS
Irene van Dyk – GS/GA
Casey Williams – GK/GD
Daneka Wipiiti – GS/GA
Coach: Ruth Aitken
2008 Holden International Test Series
1st Test –Australia v New Zealand
Sunday 26 October from 3.10pm
Hisense Arena, Melbourne
2nd Test – Australia v New Zealand
Sunday 2 November from 2.10pm
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
LIVE coverage of both Tests on Network TEN and ABC Radio Sport across Australia.
