Aussie coach looking out for form players

NETBALL “intruders” will be considered for elevation to the Australian netball squad if they impress at a Diamonds World Cup preparation camp this week.

Australian coach Lisa Alexander is keeping established players on their toes with news the squad can be adjusted according to the form of squad members, invitees and training partners.

“They are helping us with match play,’’ Alexander said of the four newest recruits to the camp.

“It’s partly ease of access but it’s also strategic in we want to have another look at them.’’

Swifts vice-captain Paige Hadley, one of five training camp invitees revealed last week, could also be in the mix for the squad preparing for the World Cup in the UK in July.

Alexander said any of the fringe players could put their hand up for squad inclusion.

“Absolutely it’s possible,’’ said Alexander, who traditionally selects her teams based on form over antecedence.

“They could get elevated into the squad and then into the team on performance.

“They have this opportunity and then the first five rounds of Super Netball to impress.’’

The camp in Canberra is the last before the start of Super Netball next month.

This year Super Netball boasts an extended competition because of a four-week break mid-season to accom- modate the World Cup. Australia is the reigning world champion and the current world No.1 side despite being beaten by England at last year’s Commonwealth Games.

The Diamonds are working on team culture and unity at the Canberra camp this week, along with match-play and recovery.

“We will also play three matches in a row to simulate times of ones we will play in the UK,’’ Alexander said.

“It will test our ability to handle around ance.’’

Australia has been drawn in the same pool as Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka for their preliminary matches of the World Cup.

England has been drawn with Uganda, Samoa and Scotland, Jamaica has been drawn with South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and Fiji with New Zealand in the same pool with Malawi, Barbados and Singapore. all our the high processes perform-