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Two New Caps In Diamonds Netball Squad

LAURA SCHERIAN of the Lightning passes during the Super Netball match between the Sunshine Coast Lightning and the Queensland Firebirds at Brisbane Arena in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

NSW Swifts defender Maddy Turner and Sunshine Coast midcourter Laura Scherian are the two uncapped players in Australia's squad of 13 for next month's four-match Constellation Cup netball series against recently crowned world champions New Zealand.

Nine players from this year's World Cup squad have been named, with midcourter Kelsey Browne (injured), defender April Brandley (pregnant) and shooter-wing attack Steph Wood (resting) out.

Melbourne Vixens shooter Tegan Philip and Collingwood Magpies midcourter Ash Brazill have been recalled.

"I would like to commend Ash Brazill, Tegan Philip, Laura Scherian and Maddy Turner on their selection following their outstanding Suncorp Super Netball seasons," Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said.

"They've shown they have what it takes to perform against the world's best, standing up in key moments, and we're thrilled to welcome them into the team.

"My fellow selectors Annie Sargeant, Michelle Wilkins and I believe this is the combination of players that we need to face an incredibly strong Silver Ferns team, with flexibility right across the court and a great mix of experienced talent and exciting up-and-comers."

Five more players have also been added to round out the Diamonds' 2019-20 squad - Wood, uncapped shooter Kiera Austin, defender Emily Mannix and midcourters Kate Moloney and Gabi Simpson.

Previous squad member and senior midcourter Kim Ravaillion opted out of selection for 2019-20.

Alexander will bring up her 100th match at the helm in the second Test at Auckland's Spark Arena on October 16.

The series starts on October 13 at Christchurch's Horncastle Arena.

Following the Auckland match, the series moves to Australia with Tests at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena on October 20 and Perth's RAC Arena on October 27.

Australia holds the Constellation Cup and have won eight of the nine series, including all of the last six.

The series marks the first meeting between the great rivals since the Silver Ferns's one-goal World Cup-final win over the Diamonds in June.

Diamonds squad: Caitlin Bassett (Giants), Ash Brazill (Magpies), Courtney Bruce (Fever), Paige Hadley (Swifts), Sarah Klau (Swifts), Tegan Philip (Vixens), Jamie-Lee Price (Giants), Laura Scherian (Lightning), Caitlin Thwaites (Vixens), Gretel Tippett (Firebirds), Maddy Turner (Swifts), Liz Watson (Vixens), Jo Weston (Vixens).