Bassett Shoots Diamonds to World Championship Crown

WAIS netballer Caitlin Bassett fired the Australian Diamonds to a World Championship win over New Zealand last night after the West Coast Fever goal shooter held her nerve in the dying seconds of extra-time to exact sweet revenge for the heart-breaking Commonwealth Games defeat to the Silver Ferns in 2010.

In a match that bear un-canny resemblance to the gold medal play-off from last year’s New Delhi Games, arch rivals Australia and New Zealand couldn’t be separated following four quarters, with the World Championship final in Singapore sent into a tumultuous finale in front of a frenzied crowd.

Australia’s 58-57 win owed much to Bassett’s goal shooting prowess, but equally Diamonds coach Norma Plummer, who braved the decision making process to substitute star shooter and Australian netball legend Catherine Cox at half-time. Whilst that judgement prevailed, the entire Australian commitment to overturning a six point half-time deficit ensured this clash will be remembered long-after the Australians’ post game euphoria died down.

It was the New Zealand team led immaculately by the phenomenal goal shooting of Irene van Dyk that dominated the opening half, with the Australians forced to play catch up. WAIS athlete Susan Fuhrmann was matched on van Dyk, and despite having a good track record against the South African born sharp shooter, struggled to defuse the threat of the pre-eminent GS in World Netball.

With Australia trailing at the main break, Fuhrmann was replaced by Laura Geitz, whilst Cox – who was shooting at 75% made way for Bassett to make just her sixth appearance for the Diamonds.

The third quarter began with an Australian ambush, as the seemingly in control Kiwi outfit showed signs of weakening in mid-court as Bassett’s height and physicality gave New Zealand goal keeper Casey Williams plenty to think about.

Bassett was becoming the focal point of Australia’s attack, and with player of the match Natalie Medhurst a willing accomplice, Australia soon levelled scores and ensured a nail-bitting finish would follow.

New Zealand re-opened a two goal margin in the fourth term with time exhausting, but the courageous Julie Corletto created a game changing turnover which led to an Australian goal and mid-court restart which again yielded even scores. Another brilliant piece of Diamonds defence in fact gifted Australia a dramatic late chance to win in regulation time, which Bassett was unable to convert under immense pressure from both Williams and the clock.

The Silver Ferns into extra-time appeared to hold a marginal mental edge as they shaved the crucial moments, up until the dying stages, when Corletto and Gerrard combined for one last desperate measure, to prevent New Zealand taking an unpassable two goal lead. Australia converted and claimed the mid-court re-start, which was capitalised through a swift centre-court series of passes before a lofted pass into the shooters circle was claimed by Bassett. As the crowd reached fever pitch, Bassett sunk her 27 goal with one second remaining to clinch Australia’s World Championships title.

New Zealand showed incredible dignity in defeat as Australian tears of joy flowed liberally on court, centred largely on the un-heralded world championship debutant of Caitlin Bassett.