Liz Ellis 'desperately sorry' for omitted star as Diamonds reveal World Cup squad

Australian netball great Liz Ellis says she feels for vice-captain Gabi Simpson after she was omitted from the World Cup squad ahead of the July tournament.

The Diamonds squad was revealed exclusively on the TODAY Show by Australian coach Lisa Alexander on Thursday morning.

Simpson, who has been a regular at wing defence of late, has played 40 Tests, but was a notable omission in the squad that is set to travel to Liverpool.

The 26-year-old has been struggling through a lingering groin injury of late and her case could not have been helped by her Queensland Firebirds remaining winless at the bottom of the Super Netball ladder.

Speaking exclusively to Wide World of Sports, Ellis said she felt for Simpson.

"She's been carrying an injury and it would have been a really tough decision to leave her out. I feel a bit sorry for her," she said.

"It would have been a really tough selection decision. I feel desperately sorry for her but on the other hand I'm happy for Jamie-Lee Price, I think she'll be a really good addition to the team.

"It's nice to have these sorts of decisions to make when you've got great athletes to choose from."

Ellis was pleased with the remainder of the squad and praised the flexibility of the 12 chosen by Alexander.

"I think it's a really good squad," she said.

"It's hard to argue with any of the selections. The 12 that have been chosen provide the flexibility that Lisa Alexander is looking for.

"They're all in pretty good form and it's a squad that I think can do the job."

Alexander described the selection process as one of the most comprehensive she had been involved in.

"We couldn't be more thrilled with the final team that has been selected to complete in Liverpool," she said in a statement.

"It's been a difficult process due to the depth of talent and experience within our Diamonds squad. However, it's our job to select the team that will successfully compete on the international stage, with consideration for the back-to-back nature and varying games styles within a tournament.

"Some athletes are very unfortunate to miss out on being selected, they've done all the right things and we have had some very tough decisions to make - we really feel for those athletes.

"In saying this, we're delighted for the athletes who have been selected, it's such great recognition for all their hard work and dedication.

"We are excited to be taking this team to Liverpool to represent our country."

The Diamonds will open their World Cup campaign with a clash against Group A opponent Northern Ireland on July 12.

Channel Nine has exclusive broadcast rights to the Netball World Cup. Every Diamonds match will be broadcast live on Wide World of Sports and every match of the tournament will be available on 9Now.

Full Diamonds Squad: Caitlin Bassett (captain) (GIANTS Netball), April Brandley (Collingwood Magpies), Kelsey Browne (Collingwood Magpies), Courtney Bruce (West Coast Fever), Paige Hadley (NSW Swifts), Sarah Klau (NSW Swifts), Jamie-Lee Price (GIANTS Netball), Caitlin Thwaites (Melbourne Vixens), Gretel Tippett (Queensland Firebirds), Liz Watson (vice-captain) (Melbourne Vixens), Jo Weston (Melbourne Vixens), Steph Wood (Sunshine Coast Lightning).