Australia beat Barbados 83-16 at the Netball World Cup
Saturday 8 August 2015 14:27, UK
Australia are primed for Sunday’s early showpiece match against New Zealand after producing another dominant performance in their second game of the World Cup against Barbados.
Backing up from their 73-32 win over Trinidad and Tobago on Friday night, the Diamonds extended their winning run to 21 games with their 83-16 win at Allphones Arena in Sydney.
The win, Australia’s biggest over Barbados, moved the Diamonds to outright third among Australian netball’s longest winning streaks.
The Diamonds now turn their attention to Sunday’s early blockbuster against the Silver Ferns - the first time the two teams have met so early in the tournament after a change in the World Cup format.
Australia have won their past nine matches against their arch rivals and will be aiming for a record 10th straight victory against them on Sunday.
After a slightly scratchy start in their first game against Trinidad and Tobago on Friday night, Australia coach Lisa Alexander had wanted to see a bit more polish from her Diamonds against Barbados and they produced a much slicker opening against the Bajan Gems.
The Diamonds scored the first six goals before Barbados were able to break the stranglehold of Australian defenders Laura Geitz and Sharni Layton, who was again given the starting nod at goal defence, and hit the scoreboard.
Thwaites did not miss a goal in the opening quarter as the Diamonds took a 19-3 lead into the first break and finished with 17 goals from 18 attempts for the half before she was replaced at Goal Shooter by Caitlin Bassett in the second half.
Bassett produced a perfect shooting display for the Diamonds with 30 from 30 in the second half, taking advantage of some brilliant supply from Kim Green and young mid-courter Paige Hadley.
Hadley again impressed, playing out the full match for the Diamonds, firstly at Wing Attack and then at Centre.
The Diamonds are aiming to win their third straight World Cup crown in Sydney.
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