Bassett Shoots Diamonds to Series Win and Top Ranking

WAIS netball athlete Caitlin Bassett has shot Australia to a series win and the top world ranking in the third and final test in front of a capacity crowd in Melbourne.

The Australian Diamonds defeated the New Zealand Silver Ferns in a thriller 44 – 41, with the two again playing out a heart-stopping final quarter, which saw the lead change to both sides.

The win means that the Diamonds have won the Holden Netball Test Series, retained the Constellation Cup, and regained the world number one ranking from New Zealand.

The Silver Ferns dominated the match early and it was not until the third quarter that the Diamonds were able to break a five goal buffer that the Ferns had maintained to that point.

The capacity crowd (9,700) saw the new combination of Caitlin Bassett and Erin Bell in goals turn the tide the Australians’ way, again showing the versatility of the Diamonds bench.

Bassett in particular, led the Australian charge, shooting 20 goals from 22 attempts. The half-time substitute replaced Catherine Cox, and helped the Diamonds overhaul a six goal margin at the break.

Bassett’s West Australian teammate and fellow WAIS scholarship holder Susan Fuhrmann was forced to sit out the decider with knee soreness.

Australian Diamond Madison Browne was named Player of the Match.

-with Netball Australia