'Didn't adapt fast enough': Australian Diamonds stunned as England set up do-or-die decider
The England Roses have kept their hopes in the Australia Test series alive after defeating the Diamonds in a two-goal thriller in Sydney on Sunday.
Australia held off a lively England outfit to comfortably secure the first win of the three match series, but were left stunned as their rivals hit back in the final minutes to claim a 61-59 victory.
It's only the third time the Roses have defeated the Diamonds on Australian soil, and their first win since the 2023 World Cup.
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England and Australia were level for the first half of the match before the hosts claimed a two-point lead in the third quarter.
But a series of defensive turnovers by player of the match Funmi Fadoju, who recorded eight gains, two intercepts and 12 deflections, ignited the dynamics of England's attacking partnerships.
Kiera Austin of the Diamonds is challenged by Funmi Fadoju of the Roses. Getty
"As a diamonds group we want to play fast. We often find that physicality [the Roses showed] slows us down," Australia captain Liz Watson told Fox Netball.
"That ramped up and it slowed down our flow.... It's disappointing."
Goal shooter Sophie Garbin landed 46 of 48 attempts at goal, while Kiera Austin added an additional 19.
Austin declared the match intensity felt like a whole new England opposition had arrived in comparison to the first Test.
"They lifted their physicality... and we probably didn't adjust quick enough or use strong enough movement to break that open," she said.
"That's a massive learning for us to not just rely on [ebbs and flows] happening and us getting good defensive runs.
"We need to be able to lock down whenever we get an opportunity to score and we didn't do that as efficiently today."
Liz Watson of the Diamonds and Beth Cobden of the Roses. Getty
Despite the match swinging in favour of Australia's British rivals, Watson confirmed very few changes will be made.
"I think the way we played in the game one, we knew England were going to change up a few things and come out strong which is exactly what they did," Watson said.
"We didn't capitalise with the ball when we got it and didn't adapt quick enough to the structures they were playing.
"We aren't obviously going to change everything. What we have done has worked really well for us... I think just little things and the belief that we can do it."
The Diamonds will battle the Roses for the Test series title on Wednesday evening in Bendigo.
