Diamonds warm up in style
SARAH Klau has kept her cool on international debut as the Diamonds used their Netball World Cup opener last night to wipe the floor with Northern Ireland.
The 24-year-old NSW Swifts goalkeeper made an equal game-high four intercepts as part of the starting line-up as coach Lisa Alexander’s new-look squad ran Dan Ryan’s amateur side ragged 88-24 to build momentum for tonight’s clash against World Cup debutant Zimbabwe.
The 64-goal victory was almost as one-sided as last year’s 94-26 Commonwealth Games win, and lay down the gauntlet to England and any other nations thinking it will not be tough to prise the trophy from Australia’s grasp.
Alexander had been expecting improvement from the world No.8 minnows’ threats under former Adelaide Thunderbirds mentor Ryan.
The demolition job made for the best possible start at a tournament in which the sport’s dominant force is under pressure after its Commonwealth Games slip last year.
Northern Ireland’s defenders were dealt a masterclass in how to transition into attack, to the point TV viewers remarked on social media that even the camera was struggling to keep up.
Vice-captain Liz Watson (25 goal assists) led the onslaught while goal shooter Caitlin Bassett converted 34 from 34.
Earlier, New Zealand star Maria Folau earned player of the match for shooting 39 from 43 attempts in the 64-45 opening win over 2018 Commonwealth Games nemesis Malawi. Also in Group B, Barbados beat Singapore 69-34.