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After breakout Super Netball seasons for the Queensland Firebirds, Ruby Bakewell-Doran and Donnell Wallam are set for international debuts after the duo were named in the Australian Diamonds squads for the Constellation Cup and the upcoming England series respectively.
Wallam travelled with the Diamonds to Birmingham as a training partner for the Commonwealth Games in which Australia secured the gold medal after a thrilling victory over Jamaica in the final.
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Bakewell-Doran, who played her first full season in the Firebirds’ defence, has enjoyed a rapid rise to prominence after a horrific knee injury threatened to derail her sporting career in 2015.
In the Constellation Cup, the Diamonds will be boosted by the presence of captain Liz Watson and vice-captain Steph Wood, while the ever-present Jo Weston returns to the squad for the England series.
A number of stars who donned the green and gold in Birmingham will back up for both events, including Kiera Austin, Gretel Bueta, Courtney Bruce, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen and Kate Moloney.
However, Ash Brazill has made herself unavailable for both events as she takes a break to spend time with her family.
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Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich hopes to use the upcoming international clashes as a perfect way to strengthen the Aussies’ depth.
“The upcoming international series against NZ and England gives us a unique opportunity to
continue to solidify what we have been building over the last 18 months and what we
delivered from the Commonwealth Games,” Marinkovich said.
“While we are extremely proud of the result recently achieved at the Commonwealth Games
we learned that the depth and competitive nature of international netball is ferocious. I am
looking forward to reconnecting with our squad as everyone will be refreshed and
re-energised to align our focus towards the 2023 Netball World Cup build.
“We will continue to develop and challenge the depth of our squad enabling players to make
their contribution in building our way forward.”
DIAMONDS SQUAD FOR CONSTELLATION CUP
Sunday Aryang
Kiera Austin
Ruby Bakewell-Doran
Courtney Bruce
Gretel Bueta
Sophie Dwyer
Sarah Klau
Cara Koenen
Kate Moloney
Amy Parmenter
Jamie-Lee Price
Maddy Proud
Liz Watson
Steph Wood
FIXTURES
Wednesday 12 October 7.30PM – Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Sunday 16 October 7.30PM – Trustpower Arena, Tauranga, New Zealand
Wednesday 19 October 7.30PM – John Cain Arena, Melbourne, Australia
Sunday 23 October 6.30PM – Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast, Australia
DIAMONDS SQUAD FOR ENGLAND SERIES
Kiera Austin
Courtney Bruce
Gretel Bueta
Sophie Garbin
Paige Hadley
Sarah Klau
Cara Koenen
Kate Moloney
Amy Parmenter
Jamie-Lee Price
Maddy Proud
Maddy Turner
Donnell Wallam
Joanna Weston
FIXTURES
Wednesday 26 October 7.30PM – Newcastle Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, Australia
Sunday 30 October 7.30PM – Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
Thursday 3 November 6.30PM – Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane, Australia
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