Plummer gives young Diamonds opportunity in United Kingdom

Australian Netball Diamonds coach Norma Plummer has thrown the challenge to her young team, having selected six players with less than 10 International Test Caps to tour the United Kingdom in February. With five senior players’ unavailable, Plummer has selected a youthful and inexperienced team for the five Tests against Scotland and England.

The 12 player squad selected have a combined total of 194 Test caps this is 28 less than the five players unavailable to tour (222 Test caps).

But for Plummer, the selection of some younger, inexperienced players was justified by their consistent performances this year and last. “We have a player with no caps [Madison Browne], we have a player who has one quarter on court [Caitlin

Bassett], and a player with two caps [Laura Geitz] so it’s a much more inexperienced team,” Plummer said. “Despite their inexperience the players’ performances at camp warranted their selection and I think they are just going to grow on this tour.

“You can never underestimate youth. It can bring out some great games for you which the Diamonds have shown over the past two years when senior players have been out injured. This group will be no exception.” With two tests against Scotland and then three against world number three, England, Plummer is confident her new-look group is well up to the challenge.

“It will be good going to Glasgow first and having five days preparation before taking on Scotland and England so we can build the team together before playing our first Test match.

“As a group they combine well and know they can rely on one another.”

With Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon missing, vice-captain Natalie von Bertouch will step up into the captaincy and defender Mo’onia Gerrard into vice.

“I don’t have any qualms about their [Gerrard and von Bertouch] ability to drive the team. Gerrard is in there all the time, she runs the warm up and gears up the team. She’s been fantastic.

“We definitely won’t miss a beat in the leadership positions.

The Diamonds will fly to the United Kingdom on Monday 8 February.

Australian Diamonds team United Kingdom tour

Diamond player Test Caps ANZ Championship team

Caitlin Bassett 1 West Coast Fever

Kate Beveridge 6 Adelaide Thunderbirds

Madison Browne - West Coast Fever

Rebecca Bulley 4 NSW Swifts

Bianca Chatfield 38 Melbourne Vixens

Laura Geitz 2 Queensland Firebirds

Mo'onia Gerrard (Vice-Captain) 31 Adelaide Thunderbirds

Kimberlee Green 13 NSW Swifts