Australia’s netballers expect to gain precious intelligence ahead of a showpiece tournament when they host Jamaica in a three-Test series.
The world No.1 Diamonds meet Jamaica in the first Test in Adelaide on Thursday night – a rematch of the 2022 Commonwealth Games gold-medal game.
Australia won that clash, and with another Commonwealth Games looming in Scotland from late July, the Test series will provide coach Stacey Marinkovich’s side with a timely glimpse of the world No.3 Jamaicans.
But it will be just a glimpse rather than an in-depth look, with Jamaica resting a batch of stars, including shooters Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Romelda Aiken-George.
“You still prepare the same way,” Diamonds defender Matilda Garrett told reporters on Wednesday.
“Obviously the list is slightly different. It’s our job to make sure that we analyse every single player who you might come up against and see what each player likes to do, what channel they like to run in and things like that.
“So similar preparation as to what we would if we were playing against some of the other players that we have played against multiple times.
“It’s kind of exciting to see the depth that they have in their squad, and it helps with Commonwealth Games preparation as well, because any of these girls could be selected.”
Garrett was summoned into the 12-strong Diamonds squad to replace fellow defender Sunday Aryang, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament during Australia’s most recent Test in October.
“Obviously it was very devastating for Sunday and also us, seeing her go down,” Garrett said.
“But with netball when people do go down with injuries, it does open up opportunities, and I feel very, very grateful to be here.
“When the list came out, I did shed a few tears – I just feel super grateful to be here, and I just want to take every opportunity with two hands if I get the chance to go out and play.”
After the series opener in Adelaide, the Diamonds host Jamaica in Perth on Sunday and Melbourne next Wednesday.
With thanks to the AAP.
