Caitlin Bassett retains Diamonds captaincy for Constellation Cup opener despite rotation policy
Caitlin Bassett has been retained as the Diamonds captain for the opening match of the Constellation Cup despite coach Stacey Marinkovich's leadership rotation policy.
Bassett's future as the leader of the team was thrown into doubt after Marinkovich opted to go for a "squad leadership approach" as opposed to having a full-time skipper.
Marinkovich's rotating captaincy policy has attracted plenty of criticism, particularly from her predecessor Lisa Alexander, as the coach insisted that it wasn't a way to ease Bassett out of the team.
However, the decision to name Bassett the captain for Game 1 of the Constellation Cup was met with raised eyebrows.
The 32-year-old has been the skipper of Australia since 2017 and a mainstay in the line-up, but was forced out of Super Netball due to the emergence of the Super Shot.
While Bassett has been a prolific shooter throughout her career, she has often operated best closer to the goal, and saw her playing time dwindle with the Giants.
The veteran shooter opted out of her contract with the Giants, joining Waikato Bay in New Zealand's domestic league for the 2021 season.
Despite the move abroad and doubts over her captaincy, Bassett maintained that playing in the 2022 Commonwealth Games was a goal for her.
Bassett in action for the Diamonds during the 2019 Constellation Cup, the last time the team took the floor Getty
"I've had great conversations with key people within the Diamonds programs and we all agree that court time is essential for my development," Bassett said last October.
"My intention is to be a key part of our Birmingham Commonwealth Games team in 2022, and I'm looking forward to continuing to work with the squad while playing for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic next year.
Bassett is joined by five debutants in the Diamonds' squad for Game 1, with Kiera Austin, Verity Charles, Sophie Garbin, Kim Jenner and Care Koenen all named for the first time.
The series will get underway at 5pm AEDT on Tuesday when Australia and New Zealand take the floor in Christchurch, with the match to be shown live on 9Gem.
