Diamonds name up Matilda Garrett for Jamaica collection as Australia eyes Commonwealth Games

Defender Matilda Garrett has been summoned to Australia’s netball squad for the looming three-Test collection towards Jamaica.

The Adelaide Thunderbird is amongst a 12-strong squad for subsequent month’s collection picked by coach Stacey Marinkovich after a coaching camp in Canberra.

Garrett bolsters Marinkovich’s defensive choices after Sunday Aryang suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee within the Diamonds’ most up-to-date Test towards New Zealand on October 29.

The world primary Australians host quantity three Jamaica in a collection beginning in Adelaide on February 5, with Tests in Perth (February 8) and Melbourne (February 11) to observe.

Coach Marinkovich was anticipating the Diamonds to return to motion forward of the spotlight of their netball calendar, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow beginning in late July.

“Coming up against Jamaica will be a significant test as we continue to build towards this year’s pinnacle event, the Commonwealth Games,” Marinkovich stated.

“This team was selected at a training camp at the AIS in Canberra, where the squad continued to challenge each other while driving training standards.

“After a robust worldwide Test collection towards South Africa and New Zealand final 12 months, I’m excited to see what the workforce can carry out onto the court docket.”

Captain Liz Watson is set for a rare milestone during the Jamaica series — if she features in all three games, she will become just the sixth Australian to play 100 Tests.

Liz Ellis (122), Sharelle McMahon (118), Cath Cox (108), Vicki Wilson (104) and Caitlin Bassett (102) are the others.

Australia squad: Liz Watson (capt), Kiera Austin, Courtney Bruce, Sophie Dwyer, Sophie Garbin, Matilda Garrett, Georgie Horjus, Sarah Klau, Cara Koenen, Kate Moloney, Jamie-Lee Price, Joanna Weston

AAP