The Australian Netball Team has a new face, with talented shooter Natalie Medhurst selected in the 12 to clash against world number four, Jamaica in the Holden Netball Test Series next month.
The Adelaide-based 23-year-old has impressed Australian coach Norma Plummer with her outstanding court movement.
“She is elusive out front and I really like her entrance into the circle,” Plummer said. “The feedback we had given was to not just be an Adelaide Thunderbirds player, but to become a leader and stamp her authority on the competition. She has done all of that and deserves to come into the team.”
Athletic defender, Julie Prendergast returns to the Australian line-up after missing the England tour in May through injury. Rebecca Bulley and Kristen Hughes have been omitted. In further news, towering shooter Caitlin Thwaites has been rewarded for her outstanding form for the Allied Pickford Melbourne Kestrels this season, with selection in the Australian Open Squad.
Thwaites is among the leading shooters in the Commonwealth Bank Trophy this season, averaging 33 goals per match at 84 per cent.
The Australian team to play Jamaica is:
Liz Ellis (Captain) Sharelle McMahon (Vice Captain) Bianca Chatfield Natasha Chokljat Catherine Cox Mo’onia Gerrard Selina Gilsenan Natalie Medhurst Susan Pratley Julie Prendergast Laura von Bertouch Natalie von Bertouch Holden Netball Test Series – Australia v Jamaica Thursday, July 5 State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne, 7:30pm Sunday, July 8 State Sports Centre, Sydney, 2pm
For media enquiries contact: EMMA ROBINSON Media Manager Netball Australia Direct: (03) 8621 8614 / Mobile: 0412 150 259 [email protected]
