Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander is confident goal
shooter Catherine Cox will bounce back to form in the next two netball
Tests against New Zealand despite the star veteran's rare downer on
Sunday.
New Zealand-born Cox, who has established herself as one
of Australia's most reliable players during a glittering 15-year
international career, nailed just 14 of 23 goal attempts before being
subbed off at half-time in Sunday's heartbreaking 49-48 loss to the
Silver Ferns in Perth.
The Diamonds trailed by 11 goals midway
through the third quarter before Cox's replacement Caitlin Bassett
turned the match on its head, sinking 19 goals at 90 per cent accuracy
to spark Australia's fightback.
Bassett's scintillating
performance could earn her the starting nod in Wednesday's re-match in
Adelaide, where Australia will be aiming to level the Constellation Cup
series.
But even if Cox gets squeezed out of her favoured goal
shooter position, Alexander said the 35-year-old veteran may still
retain a starting role, albeit in goal attack.
"The great thing
about Coxy is she brings so much leadership to the group. I think with
that game under her belt, she'll be stronger in the next run," Alexander
said.
"I've got enormous faith in her. I know what she can do. She can finish off a game.
"She's a terrific player and terrific competitor, and I'll see her lifting in the next Test."
Silver
Ferns shooting star Irene Van Dyk again looms as the key player to stop
after nailing 27 goals from 29 attempts on Sunday.
Diamonds goal
keeper Laura Geitz, who spent three quarters on Van Dyk, said she was
keen for another crack on the 190cm powerhouse.
"It's incredible coming up against her and you have to be on your best game to even be a chance against her," Geitz said.
"I think she's at the top of her game."
NZN