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Australia will face a New Zealand side smarting from a shock loss when the Diamonds attempt to clinch netball's Quad Series with a victory over their arch-rivals in Invercargill. The Silver Ferns will have to record a sizeable win on Sunday to deny the Diamonds a series win after losing to England for the first time in almost three years on Wednesday. Australia are in the box set to lift the trophy despite being given a scare against a much-improved South African outfit who got within six goals of the world champions, the closest the two nations have been in a Test for 50 years. Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander can see her side making at least a 20 per cent improvement from their win over the Proteas. "That's concentration, it's in decision making and it's in our ability to put that intense defence on for longer and be persistent with it," Alexander said. "Sometimes we built a lot of pressure but we just let it go with those penalties - we've really got to address that." The Quad Series has shown the gap in international netball is narrowing with Australia defeating England and South Africa by four and six goals respectively. Alexander knows the Silver Ferns will be out to atone after being upset by the Roses. "Whenever it's Australia versus New Zealand it's one of the greatest rivalries in world sport, particularly on their home turf in Invercargill," Alexander said. "They will be really hurting after that loss - so thanks, England. "But that's what happens. We're all getting closer and tighter at the top, it's fantastic for international netball." Captain Caitlin Bassett is expected to start as goal shooter despite Caitlin Thwaites putting in a strong performance across the first three quarters against South Africa. While goal attack Tegan Philip started against the Proteas, former basketballer Gretel Tippett helped turn the tide with Australia trailing by two goals when Alexander called on her in the second quarter. Alexander said Tippett, a former WNBL rookie of the year, had improved her game sense and was linking well with both Bassett and Thwaites. "She's a special talent but within the context of the team she's doing what we need her to do and doing it really well," Alexander said.
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