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The fresh Aussie side, minus playmaker Sharelle McMahon and stalwart Lauren Nourse, simply isn't carrying any baggage into this Constellation Cup, a five match test series between the traditional rivals.
The Diamonds claimed the Cup last year.
Obviously a lot has changed since (the 2010 Commonwealth Games), Diamonds shooter Natalie Medhurst said ahead of today's first test.
Weve got such a different team to work with and try different combination out there on court, so as bad as the Commonwealth Games experience was, we certainly have to get over that and move forward and start out preparation for World Championships.
Just seven Diamonds have returned from theCommonwealth Games campaign.
The two-test New Zealand series will give uncapped AussiesErin Bell, Sharni Layton and Chelsea Pitman an opportunity to fine tune ahead of Singapore.
Weve already shown in these few days weve had together that everyone is combining really well and the players weve got provide a lot of different combinations and different styles of play for the coaches to fall back on, Medhurst said.
New captain Natalie von Bertouch will be looking to lead the Diamonds to their 60th Test win over the Silver Ferns. The Diamonds and Silver Ferns took a game each in the last test series, held in 2004.
The Constellation Cup will go to theaggregate winner after five tests payed between the sides in 2011, outside of the World Championships.
Australia and New Zealand's 21U sides will play their second test clash as a curtain raiser to the international event.
New Zealand Silver Ferns v Australian Diamonds
Arena Manawatu, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Thursday, 9 June 2011, 7:40pm (local time), 5:40pm (AEST)
Broadcast: Channel TEN 11:00pm
Click here for live scores.
Australia Diamonds Team:
Natalie von Bertouch (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Catherine Cox (NSW Swifts), Caitlin Bassett (West Coast Fever), Chelsea Pitman (Queensland Firebirds), Erin Bell (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Julie Corletto (Melbourne Vixens), Kimberlee Green (NSW Swifts), Laura Geitz (Queensland Firebirds), Moonia Gerrard (NSW Swifts), Natalie Medhurst (Queensland Firebirds), Sharni Layton (Adelaide Thunderbirds), Susan Fuhrmann (West Coast Fever)
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