Diamonds selection tough

Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander says she is working with the strongest Australian squad she has ever seen, making the selection of the Commonwealth Games 12 the most difficult ever.

The Caitlin Bassett captained Diamonds take on New Zealand in their final match of the international Quad series today in South Africa after starting their campaign with a win over South Africa and England.

“We have one of the, if not the, strongest squad we have ever had,’’ Alexander said. “That’s going to make the decision harder than ever. It means the decision is going to be very difficult.

“What we are after is seeing who can put big performances together under pressure.

“It is a really fit squad. They are mentally strong.

After the game against New Zealand the Diamonds head home to wait for the team announcement in February.

Australia has been drawn alongside Jamaica, South Africa, Barbados, Fiji and Northern Ireland in Pool A for the Commonwealth Games where they are attempting to win their fourth crown from six outings in the Games arena.

Pool B will feature world No. 2 ranked New Zealand, England, Malawi, Wales, Scotland and Uganda.

Alexander said the team for the Games will be unveiled on February 5 with the 12 selected, along with four training partners, to attend another camp in March.

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men’s team will face Canada, England and Trinidad and Tobago in the pool games at the Commonwealth Games in April.

The women are destined to face Australia, Trinidad and Tobago and St Kitts and Nevis. Men: Pool A- Australia, Scotland, Grenada, Cyprus; Pool B- Canada, England, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji; Pool C- New Zealand, Vanuatu, Singapore, Rwanda.

Women: Pool A: Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, St Kitts and Nevis, Fiji; Pool B-Canada, Scotland, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone;Pool C-England, New Zealand, Cyprus, Mozambique.