Australia have upkept their extraordinary winning streak against South Africa taking out their 39th victory over the Proteas in the opening match of the Northern Quad Series.
The Diamonds foughtback to eventually thrash the Proteas 62-45, after struggling through the first quarter.
With captain Caitlin Bassett out nursing a fractured arm, Australia trailed South Africa 16-11 by the end of the first fifteen.
“We certainly got off to a really poor start. We took ages to adjust to the umpiring and I thought our energy was a little lack lustre,” Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said after the match.
“We’re going to have to really work on that. We can’t afford to have a start like that against the Kiwis or Roses.”
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But with Jo Weston taking the court for April Brandley, and Jamie-Lee Price replacing Gabi Simpson; the Diamonds found their rhythm in the second quarter to overtake the Proteas 27-25.
Head coach Lisa Alexander took the leading opportunity to try different combinations in preparation for the Netball World Cup taking palce in July.
“We really needed to mix things up and try some different combinations,” Alexander said.
“Caitlin Thwaites gives us a big target to work with at goal shooter whereas Steph (Wood) is more mobile. Kelsey (Browne), Kate (Moloney) and Jamie-Lee (Price) give us a lot of speed through the wings and Gabi (Simpson) and Lizzy (Watson) have that hard-edge to their play.”
🔢🏐 MATCH STATS 🏐🔢
— Sky Sports Netball (@SkyNetball) January 13, 2019
Here's the tale of the tape and the key numbers from the first #QuadSeries outing of the year.
FT: 🇦🇺 62-45 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/JkbdBMglJB
Alexander went on to make significant changes in each third for the second half, moving Watson from wing attack to centre, bringing on Kelsey Browne at wing attack, and then changing Thwaites for Steph Wood in the goal circle.
The Diamonds then dominated the second half, scoring 35 goals to South Africa's 20, edging Australia to a 17 goal win.
After a scratchy start, the Diamonds have put together an impressive 62 to 45 goal win in game one of the Northern Quad Series against South Africa. Gretel Tippett was the player of the match, shooting 30/32 and dominating up front. #AUSvRSA #GoDiamonds pic.twitter.com/3QAupR66Zy
— Samsung Diamonds (@AussieDiamonds) January 13, 2019
Shooting nearly half of Australia's goals with 30 shots out of 32 attempts (94 per cent accuracy), goal attack Gretal Tippet was named player of the match.
“Grets is doing her thing and we have our heart in our mouth most of the time on the bench but she just gets better and better and does the most unusual things that are hard to match up on so I’m pleased with that," Alexander said of Tippet's lay-up technique.
“She’s feeling more and more confident as we go on and I think the players around her are giving her the confidence to play her game.”
Australia will next take on New Zealand on Sunday, January 20 at 12.30am (AEST).