Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett says her team will start the Netball World Cup in England in July as underdogs behind the home side, but is adamant Australia have the firepower to defend their crown.
Bassett will head a squad that has been described as "versatile and unpredictable". However, the skipper declared the level of talent at Australias disposal was "incredible".
“We have so many great players,” Bassett told Channel Nine. “If you look at the mix of experience and fresh talent weve got, we have talent all over the court and lots of depth on the bench.”
Awesome foursome: Jamie-Lee Price and Caitlin Bassett (Giants), and Sarah Klau and Paige Hadley (Swifts) have been named in the Australian squad for the Netball World Cup.Credit:Narelle Spanger
Bassett, Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts) and Caitlin Thwaites (Melbourne Vixens) were the only three players from Australias triumphant 2015 World Cup campaign to be picked for the tournament, which starts in Liverpool, England, on July 12.
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The omission of former vice-captain Gabi Simpson – who lost out to the Giants' talented 23-year-old Jamie-Lee Price – was considered the biggest selection shock.
Bassett paused to consider the disappointment campaigners such as Simpson and Kim Ravaillion would have experienced before noting their omissions highlighted Australias rich vein of talent.
“I know it was an extremely tough decision,” said Bassett of the players who missed the cut. “I know there is going to be some really devastated girls after the announcement today, but I guess its a good position to be in when we have so many strong athletes to select from.”
Emotional: Paige Hadley said she cried when she found out she'd been selected for the World Cup.Credit:Narelle Spangher
While Bassett stressed the squad was different to the one that lost last years Commonwealth Games gold medal match to England in the dying stages, she conceded the World Cup was a shot at redemption.
“We look back at that Comm Games final and it wasnt our day,” she said. “We didnt perform well enough to win that gold medal and it is going to definitely spur us on to win that gold in Liverpool.
“But, we cant put it on the rest of the team – its a different team than it was in the Gold Coast and I think, for us, heading over to their home stomping ground theres going to be a lot of pressure on them. I kind of like the underdog tag.
“I think that would be amazing [to beat England in the final at Liverpool]. I think its going to be very tough to do – they have a very vocal crowd … but I think weve definitely got the team to do it.”
For Price, selection in the World Cup squad was a dream come true, but her thoughts also went out to Simpson.
“Gabi is an amazing person, but also a great athlete and she bringRead More – Source
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