Games spots for Diamonds who shine

AUSTRALIAN netball coach Lisa Alexander says there is pressure on every player in the Diamonds Quad Series touring side to perform at their best against South Africa this weekend with Commonwealth Games spots on offer.

Alexander has a longstanding practice of selecting form over reputation with the fourteam Quad series the last chance for players to force their way into the Commonwealth Games 12.

Australia is taking on the South African Proteas, the English Roses and the New Zealand Silver Ferns in the tournament – the last international series before the Commonwealth Games netball competition kicks off in April.

Alexander says the threematch tour being played in the UK this weekend and South Africa next weekend is the final chance for players to cement their positions with competition within the squad at the highest level.

“There is a lot of pressure on their performance. It is very important how they perform here,’’ she said.

“The team is only three to four weeks away. They know what they have to do.’’

Alexander said the Diamonds go into the series with confidence after a highly successful Commonwealth Games simulation camp earlier this month.

“It was the best squad camp I have ever been a part of,’’ she said. The quality was spot on.

“They are fighting for Commonwealth Games selection and the athletes continue to improve and do their work. Everyone is still showing improvement.

Missing from the tour are defenders Sharni Layton and Laura Geitz who attended last weeks camp and are “still in the picture’’ for Games selection despite their absence from the international arena in recent times.