THE 2019 Netball World Cup sees 16 countries head to Liverpool, England, with 60 matches played over the 10 day period between July 12-21. Countries have been split into four pools, playing a round robin in that pool before going further depending on their respective success.

Australia head into the 2019 Netball World Cup with an all-new Diamonds line-up and a fire in the belly after losing to England in the gold medal match in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Queensland. The Diamonds are currently sitting first in the International Netball Federation rankings, credit to their continued dominance across the board in recent years. While Australia was beaten by England in the Commonwealth Games, the hunger to get payback and a win on England’s home soil is sure to fuel the side on as they continue their campaign to remain the top ranked country in netball. Australia are in Pool A, taking on Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the opening matches before likely proceeding forward in the competition.

But while Australia is a massive threat, their midcourt is an unknown quantity with a relatively young line-up. Recently named vice-captain, Liz Watson is one of the more experienced midcourters in the side and likely to start in wing attack, providing a damaging burst of speed and ability to find the circle edge to be in prime feeding position. Speedster and fellow attacker, Kelsey Browne has also been named, able to be an impact player when required and also a skilled feeder into the circle with plenty of experience under her belt. Paige Hadley returns to the side for her second Netball World Cup, but while likely to take the court in centre she does not have much recent experience in the Diamonds side to lift the side to a big win, so is likely to be worked into the role through the early matches in the series. Finishing off the midcourt is young gun Jamie-Lee Price, who has played some of her best netball in wing defence but can also be a big contributor across the court in centre. Australia have some big names across the court, namely bookends in captain, Caitlin Bassett and key defender, Courtney Bruce. With accuracy and excitement coming in waves in attack, Bassett leads from the front while Bruce provides a safety net down back courtesy of her timing and ability to read the play. Joining Bassett in the goal circle is stalwart shooter, Caitlin Thwaites who has been a dominant fixture in the side for a number of years, followed by Steph Wood and Gretel Tippett who both can split open a game credit to their respective footwork and ability to find the post. Defensively, Bruce will be joined by Jo Weston, April Brandley and newbie, Sarah Klau. While Weston will likely get the start with Bruce, she also has the ability to move out into wing defence if required to provide another tall option defensively. Weston’s timing and ability to take her opposition out of the mach are second to none, while Brandley and Klau both offer a clean approach to the game and can be a dominant force when required.

Fixtures:

Round 1: vs. Northern Ireland, July 12
Round 2: vs. Zimbabwe, July 13
Round 3: vs. Sri Lanka, July 14

Predicted finish: 2nd