The Diamonds didn’t disappoint the sell-out Melbourne crowd with a stellar performance leading at one stage by 15-goals. While the tough Ferns closed the gap in the final minutes they could not run over the Australians with the Diamonds running out 48-44 victors.

It was an early intercept and conversion in the opening quarter that set the tone for Australians who had all the momentum in the first 10 minutes, to take a 6-2 lead.

With goal attack Susan Pratley on song from all over the circle the Diamonds looked a different team than the side that had taken the court in the previous two defeats.

With the cool head of Natalie von Bertouch back in the team the Diamonds stretched their lead to 13-10 at quarter time with the Australians composed feeding into the circle.

Defender Susan Furhmann started the second term in a flurry beginning to show the form that had won her best on court in the first Test in Sydney.

With Diamonds on top all over the court the Australians were able to push their lead to six, 24-17.

Pratley continued to dominate in the circle with everything falling the Australians way.

The Diamonds took an eight goal lead into the final change.

New Zealand made wholesale changes in the last quarter trying to stop the Aussie run.

The Australians opened the final quarter like the first with an impressive turnover and goal opening up a 33-20 lead in the first five minutes.

However a gritty Ferns comeback was brewing with the New Zealanders chipping away at the Australians` lead.

Captain Casey Williams began to have a greater impact on the game and the Diamonds lead began to shrink.

However, it was a case of too little too late for the New Zealanders with the final whistle blowing with the Australians four-ahead.

The Diamonds will now face the Ferns in the final match of the Holden Netball Test Series in Brisbane.

The 3pm match on Sunday will be shown live on Channel Ten and ONE.