Taste of defeat inspires Aussies

AUSTRALIAN coach Lisa Alexander revealed the secret of her team’s success yesterday after the Diamonds refound their mojo to take down New Zealand for the second time in five days for a 2-0 lead in the annual Constellation Cup.

Alexander said the 10-goal loss to the Silver Ferns just a month ago was never far from her team’s mind, spurring the world’s No. 1 side to new heights.

“That loss to the Kiwis is something we are not about to forget in a hurry,’’ Alexander said. “It is still playing on our mind.’’

A combination of blinding speed, patience and precision delivered Australia a 60-52 victory in Christchurch in the annual series between world netball’s leading teams.

While far from perfect, the win still illustrated Australia was back on track to defend its Commonwealth Games crown at the Gold Coast in April.

“I’m happy with them,’’ Alexander declared after a match which saw captain and sharpshooter Caitlin Bassett net her 2000th international goal in her 71st appearance for Australia.

Alexander sent her strongest line-up into the match and made only minor changes as she and selectors continued their hunt for the combina- tions they believed had the best chance of winning gold at next year’s Games.

Veteran Susan Pettitt was replaced at halftime by Steph Wood to mix things up in the shooting department in the only change for Australia, as the Silver Ferns made countless shuffles in a bid to record their first win of the series.

“How lucky are we to have both Susan and Steph able to be thrown in there and have something completely different,’’ Alexander said.

After a fast start by the hosts, it took the Diamonds 11 minutes to level the score with a five-goal run near the end of the period, putting the Australians up 14-11.

The Diamonds led by as many as six goals in the second quarter but were unable to shake the Silver Ferns, who trailed by 26-29 at halftime.

The Australians owned the third quarter, jumping out to an eight-goal lead before being reigned in slightly to go into the final period up 44-39.

Picture: AP PRECISION: Australia's Caitlin Bassett, left, and New Zealand's Kelly Jury battle for the ball during their Constellation Cup match in Christchurch.