Six fresh faces in Diamonds squad

Australia netball coach Norma Plummer has shaken up the national squad by including
six rookies, selecting her new-look Diamonds on form rather than reputation.

Plummer on Tuesday unveiled a 22-player squad that will contest nine Test matches
and the World Netball Series in Manchester this year.
NSW Swifts Vanessa Ware, Kimberley Smith and Rebecca Bulley have paid the price for
their side's poor performance in the ANZ Championship, while Queensland's Claire
McMeniman has also been cut.
The vastly improved West Coast Fever have been rewarded for an outstanding season
with Plummer giving the nod to five of their young guns.
Exciting centre Shae Bolton and Johannah Curran are first time inclusions and they
join teammates Madison Browne, who returns from a year's hiatus, Caitlin Bassett and
Susan Fuhrmann in the squad.
Premiers Melbourne and grand final challengers Adelaide are well represented with
six players each, including newcomers Joanne Sutton and Emily Beaton (Thunderbirds)
and Chelsey Nash (Vixens).
Plummer is pleased with the level of competition for places within the squad.
"It is vital for us to have such depth," Plummer said.
"There have been some disappointments, but with the strength of the competition the
selection panel had to select on current form and who we believed really deserved to
make the squad.
"Once again it is about making everyone very aware that times are changing and there
are new faces coming in.
"If players want to make the Commonwealth Games or World Championships (in 2010)
they have to take on board the competition within the group to make selection."
The Diamonds will be led by a resurgent Sharelle McMahon, who missed last season
through injury, while last year's stand-in skipper Natalie von Bertouch will assist
as vice-captain.
Despite an outstanding season with the Vixens, champion centre Natasha Chokljat did
not apply for international duties and neither did comeback kid Laura von Bertouch
after taking a year out of the sport.
Australia: Caitlin Bassett, Emily Beaton, Kate Beveridge, Shae Bolton, Madison
Browne, Bianca Chatfield, Julie Corletto, Catherine Cox, Johannah Curran, Susan
Fuhrmann, Laura Geitz, Mo'onia Gerrard, Kimberlee Green, Renae Hallinan, Sharelle
McMahon (capt) Natalie Medhurst, Chelsey Nash, Lauren Nourse, Susan Pratley, Joanne
Sutton, Caitlin Thwaites, Natalie von Bertouch (vc)