Cambage to line up for Opals

LIZ Cambage will return to a full-strength Opals squad as they continue their tricky path to next year’s Olympics with a trio of games in Malaysia next month.

Cambage missed Australia’s bronze medal Asia Cup campaign while contesting the WNBA playoffs for Las Vegas.

But with her campaign in the US now done the All-Star has been named alongside Marianna Tolo and Kelsey Griffin in what are crucial games in the race for a Tokyo 2020 berth.

Geelong Supercats pair Sara Blicavs and Ezi Magbegor are also in the squad to play in Kuala Lumpur.

Set to play Japan, Taiwan and India between November 14-17, Australia must finish in the top two to progress to February’s final round of qualifying, where only the top three from four pools will advance to the Olympics.

Cambage was sorely missed as the world No.3 Australians lost to China and Japan in the Asia Cup to miss the gold medal game in India last month. With the elite centreback on deck, the three-time Olympic silver medallists shouldn’t be troubled in Malaysia next month, where coach Sandy Brondello hopes to learn plenty with a fullstrength squad at her disposal.

“We have named a squad of 19 athletes from which the final 12 will be selected (and) it is great to include Liz, Marianna and Kelsey back in the mix after they missed the Asia Cup due to injuries and WNBA,” Brondello said.

November 14 — v Taiwan; November 16 — v India; November 17 — v Japan

Rebecca Allen, Abby Bishop, Sara Blicavs, Liz Cambage, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Darcee Garbin, Cayla George, Kelsey Griffin, Tess Lavey, Tess Madgen, Ezi Magbegor, Leilani Mitchell, Lauren Nicholson, Jenna O’Hea, Nicole Seekamp, Steph Talbot, Marianna Tolo, Tahlia Tupaea, Sami Whitcomb.