Bassett set for painful absence

FORMER Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett will be sidelined for months and miss upcoming Test matches against England and New Zealand after undergoing knee surgery.

Bassett (pictured), who quit the Giants in 2020 after struggling for game time and lost the captaincy of the national team, injured the meniscus in her right knee in March.

The 33-yearold then damaged the meniscus in her left knee playing for Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in New Zealand’s domestic season.

“This season was particularly challenging as these injuries inhibited my ability to jump, hold and move like I normally would,” she said.

“I am disappointed not to be available for the upcoming Diamonds Test matches, but this is what’s going to be best for my knees and I will turn my focus to the recovery and rehabilitation.”

Australia will take on England for the first time in three years with a three-match series planned for this October.

The Diamonds will then tackle trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in four matches from October 13, with games set to be played in both countries, pending border restrictions.