Netball
Marnie Banger 6y

Aust ready to adapt in NZ netball series

Netball

The Diamonds will find themselves on Jury duty when they confront netball rivals the Silver Ferns this week.

New Zealand goal keeper Kelly Jury successfully disrupted the Australian shooting circle when the nations clashed in the Quad Series early last month, helping the Silver Ferns claim a 57-47 victory.

The 192cm-tall, 20-year-old Jury matched Diamonds shooter Caitlin Bassett jump for jump early in the match, forcing the Australians to rethink their feed into the captain.

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander says the team wants to give Jury fewer opportunities to make use of her impressive reach in the four-match Constellation Cup series, which begins in Auckland on Thursday.

"She's somebody that we'll need to be worried about, as in terms of not putting the ball in her way," Alexander told reporters on Monday.

Diamonds shooter Caitlin Thwaites said she thought Australia's short and sharp playing style would also help keep Jury at bay.

But she said the Diamonds were prepared to deal with whatever happens during the trans-Tasman series.

"It's the ability to adapt and change to different circumstances that will hold us in good stead," she said.

Caitlyn Nevins and Kate Moloney are among fresher faces selected for Australia for the Cup, while Madi Robinson has been left off the list.

Alexander said Robinson has probably "copped the consequences" of a poor performance in Australia's last Quad Series match.

"It's been hard on her but she's been given her feedback and I'm certain that she'll come back stronger as a player," she said.

The first Constellation Cup match in Auckland on Thursday will be followed by clashes in Christchurch on October 8, Adelaide on October 11 and Sydney on October 14.

In the seven years of the series Australia have only lost one, back in 2012.

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