Constellation Cup

7.45pm, October 5, Spark Arena, Auckland. 2.15pm, October 8, Horncastle Arena, Christchurch. 9.30pm, October 11, Titanium Security Arena, Adelaide. 5pm, October 14, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney. confidence back after minor knee surgery in the off-season.

Cullen, who has not played Australia since 2015, said she has learned through bitter experience that attention to detail is crucial.

“We’ve talked through strategies to keep everyone fresh and making sure we’re not getting to that point where we’re feeling overloaded. And personally it’s about making sure I’m eating well, sleeping well, staying hydrated and doing what I need to with my recovery,” she said.

“I seem to have developed a bit of a habit of my body falling apart at the most crucial times, so hopefully that’s not the case any more.”

After an eight-week lay-off, Cullen returned to the court in last month’s Taini Jamison series against England and is hoping to build on her performances against the Diamonds. Having played primarily at wing defence at international level, there is a chance Cullen may play at goal defence in this series with Southby concerned about a lack of cover in the position.

Cullen is excited about the possibility of returning to the position she first made a name for herself in, but her key focus is WD.

“Test matches against Australia are always exciting, the ultimate. But having not played them for a while just make me even more excited about this opportunity,” she said. “I just want to get out there and play.”