Diamonds won’t stir tea storm

EVEN if the Diamonds exact Commonwealth Games revenge on England, deep in teasipping country, you won’t catch a single pinkie raised in toast.

Because Australia’s Netball World Cup team watched Alex Morgan’s FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-final goal celebration and decided such a gesture does not represent what they’re about.

The star United States forward made global headlines last week when she scored the winner against England to send her eventual champions into the decider, and then mimicked sipping a cup of tea.

The celebration, along with her “And that’s the tea” tweet, sparked accusations she’d taken a swipe at Phil Neville's Lionesses. Morgan herself was indignant at the polarising reaction, insisting it “wasn’t a hit to England”.

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said the debate became a talking point among her squad.

“I’m always interested in how the teams craft their tournaments, particularly how they go about their business,” Alexander said.

“It was really interesting watching the to-do between the USA and England about the scouting of the hotels, and then the cup of tea stuff.

“We were talking about that, we always talk about that in our group because it’s part of us getting a common understanding of what we think is appropriate for us.

“As we said, we wouldn’t do that because we’re more into more of that humility side of things and not really putting it in the faces of the opposition.

“We show our respect for them in different ways.”

In terms of netball rivalries, the focus in Liverpool is well and truly on Australia versus England.

Ever since last April when Helen Housby’s late, late goal denied the Diamonds Commonwealth Games gold on the Gold Coast, there’s been a sentiment of big-stage vengeance brewing on their adversaries’ home soil.