The Australian Diamonds are the world champions of netball after defeating England at the Netball World Cup in Cape Town last night.
The Aussies dominated over the England Vitality Roses throughout the whole game winning every quarter, rounding out a 61-45 win.
Cross-code AFLW star and the Diamonds’ mid-court player Ash Brazill retired after the World Cup final, ending her netball career on a high.
“I’m so proud of these girls. The fact we’re standing here as world champions, I just couldn’t wish for a better ending,” Brazill said after the match.
“I’ll never play netball again – how can I top this?”
The Roses’ coach Jess Thirlby conceded that the Aussies outplayed England.
“I just don’t think we were very smart tonight,” she said.
“They were the better team this final.”
The Australian Diamonds had “unfinished business” this World Cup after their disappointing loss at the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, UK, where they were down to New Zealand Silverferns 52-51.
This is the Diamonds’ 12th World Cup win, which comes off the back of their wins at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2022 Constellation Cup against their New Zealand rivals.
Since 1999, every Netball World Cup final has been fought between Australia and New Zealand. Last night’s match was the Roses’ first appearance in a Netball World Cup final since 1975.
During the pool stages last week, England came back from an eight-goal difference against Australia, defeating Australia 56-55. Winning their pool, the Roses advanced to the semi-finals, where they defeated the reigning champions, New Zealand, 46-40.
But England were no match for the Australian side, who clearly learned their lesson from last week’s defeat.
Australia’s Kiera Austin was awarded player of the match, scoring fifteen points and missing just two shots for goal.
The Australian women’s soccer team, the Matildas, got behind the Diamonds for the World Cup final.
“Hey girls, on behalf of the Matildas, we just want to wish you all the best for your final. Good luck and go and smash it! Go the Diamonds!” they said in a video posted to Twitter.
After the Diamonds secured the win, all eyes will be on the Matildas tonight, as they face Denmark in the Round 16 clash at Stadium Australia in Sydney.