Having previously been called up for national duties as a replacement player, Caitlin Thwaites was also formally announced for the first time as a member of the Diamonds.

National coach Norma Plummer chose to announce only the team for the first Test match against a World Selection team in Adelaide on Wednesday 2 September, leaving the possibility for others from the squad to play a part in the Holden Netball Test Series.

With a long international schedule ahead, including Tests in New Zealand, Jamaica and England, as well as the World Netball Series, Plummer chose to share the national duties around, giving the group as much depth as possible while also giving the squad flexibility with injured players.

“The reason for picking the squad for the Series was to have the depth to cover any issue that might come up,” Plummer said.

”We want to be able to have flexibility with announcing the team. That’s why we’ve kept it open by naming a squad of 16 and we’ll name a team as we go.

The 16 player squad was named after a five-day national camp at the Australian Institute of Sport where Plummer was blown away by the standard of netball produced.

“I am really pleased by the quality of players and the work effort they put out on the weekend; the standard was remarkable.

“Their work ethic was amazing. Everybody knew that the pressure was on and everybody lifted to the program and they really put out excellent netball.

Goal keeper Laura Geitz has been left out of the Diamonds to face the World Selection team due to a hand injury she sustained at camp however, Plummer is confident she will be back to contest matches later in the year.

“Geitz’s injury was unfortunate but she could be back,” Plummer explained.

“From what we saw here this morning she is not too far away.”

Australian Diamonds to face World Selection team

Julie Corletto VIC Melbourne Vixens
Catherine Cox NSW NSW Swifts
Johannah Curran VIC West Coast Fever
Susan Fuhrmann WA West Coast Fever
Mo`onia Gerrard NSW Adelaide Thunderbirds
Kimberlee Green NSW NSW Swifts
Renae Hallinan VIC Melbourne Vixens
Sharelle McMahon (Captain) VIC Melbourne Vixens
Lauren Nourse SA Queensland Firebirds
Susan Pratley NSW NSW Swifts
Caitlin Thwaites VIC Melbourne Vixens
Natalie von Bertouch (Vice Captain) SA Adelaide Thunderbirds

The Australian Netball Diamonds touring squad:

Kate Beveridge WA Adelaide Thunderbirds
Bianca Chatfield VIC Melbourne Vixens
Julie Corletto VIC Melbourne Vixens
Catherine Cox NSW NSW Swifts
Johannah Curran VIC West Coast Fever
Susan Fuhrmann WA West Coast Fever
Laura Geitz QLD Queensland Firebirds
Mo`onia Gerrard NSW Adelaide Thunderbirds
Kimberlee Green NSW NSW Swifts
Renae Hallinan VIC Melbourne Vixens
Sharelle McMahon (Captain) VIC Melbourne Vixens
Natalie Medhurst SA Adelaide Thunderbirds
Lauren Nourse SA Queensland Firebirds
Susan Pratley NSW NSW Swifts
Caitlin Thwaites VIC Melbourne Vixens
Natalie von Bertouch (Vice Captain) SA Adelaide Thunderbirds