Caitlin Bassett and Jamie-Lee Price are both included and are two of nine selected players that represented Australia at the 2019 Vitality World Cup earlier this year.
Samsung Diamonds head Coach Lisa Alexander, who will coach her 100th Diamonds match in Auckland, said she’s excited by the new-look team that will be taking on New Zealand.
“My fellow selectors Annie Sargeant, Michelle Wilkins and I believe this is the combination of players that we need to face an incredibly strong Silver Ferns team, with flexibility right across the court and a great mix of experienced talent and exciting up-and-comers,” she said.
“It’s a testament to Netball Australia’s pathway that we have such depth within our elite program that it makes selection quite a task.
“The rivalry and respect between the Diamonds and Silver Ferns is immense and it’s always such a great battle – we’re so looking forward to playing four, no doubt, thrilling matches.”
The Samsung Diamonds selectors have announced five additional athletes to round-out the 18- person 2019/20 Samsung Diamonds squad including up and coming GIANTS star Kiera Austin, as well as Emily Mannix, Kate Moloney, Gabi Simpson and Steph Wood.
Austin debuted for the GIANTS earlier this year when she was called into the squad to replace GIANTS teammate Caitlin Bassett after she was ruled out with a broken wrist.
The Constellation Cup is an annual four-match test series against the New Zealand Silver Ferns, being played in:
- Horncastle Christchurch – Sunday 13 October
- Spark Arena, Auckland – Wednesday 16 October
- Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney – Sunday 20 October
- RAC Arena, Perth – Sunday 27 October
Tickets to all matches are on sale, with tickets to the match at Qudos Bank Arena available via Ticketek.
2019 Samsung Australian Diamonds Constellation Cup Team:
Caitlin Bassett (GIANTS Netball)
Ash Brazill (Collingwood Magpies)
Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever)
Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts)
Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts)
Tegan Philip (Melbourne Vixens)
Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball)
Laura Scherian (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
Caitlin Thwaites (Melbourne Vixens)
Gretel Tippett (Queensland Firebirds)
Maddy Turner (NSW Swifts)
Liz Watson (Melbourne Vixens)
Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens)
2019/20 Australian Diamonds Squad Members:
Kiera Austin (GIANTS Netball)
Emily Mannix (Melbourne Vixens)
Kate Moloney (Melbourne Vixens)
Gabi Simpson (Queensland Firebirds)
Steph Wood (Sunshine Coast Lightning)
