Plummer gives young Diamonds opportunity in United Kingdom

With five senior players’ unavailable, Plummer has selected a youthful and inexperienced team for the five Tests against Scotland and England.

The 12 player squad selected have a combined total of 194 Test caps this is 28 less than the five players unavailable to tour (222 Test caps).

But for Plummer, the selection of some younger, inexperienced players was justified by their consistent performances this year and last.

“We have a player with no caps [Madison Browne], we have a player who has one quarter on court [Caitlin Bassett], and a player with two caps [Laura Geitz] so it’s a much more inexperienced team,” Plummer said.

“Despite their inexperience the players’ performances at camp warranted their selection and I think they are just going to grow on this tour.”

With two tests against Scotland and then three against world number three, England, Plummer is confident her new-look group is well up to the challenge.

“It is going to be good going to Scotland first and get a great warm-up for us to build the team together before taking on England.

“As a group they are well suited together, combination wise, which is good. I think they have been getting on really well from the moment they were selected.”

With Diamonds captain Sharelle McMahon missing, vice-captain Natalie von Bertouch will step up into the captaincy and defender Mo’onia Gerrard into vice.

“I don’t have any qualms about their [Gerrard and von Bertouch] ability to drive the team. Gerrard is in their all the time, she runs the warm-up and gears up the team. She’s been fantastic.

“We definitely won’t miss a beat in the leadership positions.

“I am pretty pleased with what we’ve got good leadership within the team and some young exciting players.

“You can never underestimate youth. It can bring out some great games for you.”

The Diamonds will fly to the United Kingdom on Monday 8 February.

Australian Diamonds team United Kingdom tour

Coach - Norma Plummer

Specialist Coach - Nicole Cusack

Manager - Donna Monteath

Doctor - Kathryn Gaffney

Physiotherapist - Sean Mungovan

Massage Therapist - Matthew Durston

Video Analyst - Lyndell Bruce

Julie Corletto (knee rehabilitation) Test caps 20

Catherine Cox (ankle rehabilitation) Test caps 74

Susan Fuhrmann (knee rehabilitation) Test caps 11

Sharelle McMahon (knee rehabilitation) Test caps 105

Lauren Nourse (work commitments) Test caps 12

Diamonds v Scotland
February 14 & 16, Glasgow
Diamonds v England
February 19, Liverpool
February 21, Nottingham
February 23, London