Old foes to fight it out: Bassett

AS Australia prepares for its last netball international of the year, captain Caitlin Bassett is forecasting it will be the Diamonds and Silver Ferns fighting over the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.

England and South Africa might be on the improve but the Australian sharpshooter still believes it will be Australia and New Zealand in the main game.

Australia and New Zealand have this month been involved in an engrossing battle for the Constellation Cup which concludes today at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. Both sides have continued to experiment with their lines during the annual series but have also made it clear how serious they have taken the contests.

These matches have given Bassett the intel to predict Australia’s old nemesis will remain their chief foes on the Gold Coast.

“I still think it will be us and them,’’ Bassett said.

“England have improved immensely and so have South Africa.

“But I think Australia and New Zealand still have the experience to get through.’’

England defeated New Zealand last month in the Quad series, however, they also lost to South Africa.

Since netball was added to the Games program in 1998, every final has been contested between the current No. 1 and No. 2 sides.

The four- game Constellation Cup has doubled as an audition for Australian players wanting to make the 12- strong team to compete on the Gold Coast. AUSTRALIA v NEW ZEALAND 2PM TODAY, LIVE ON Ch. 9