For all the comments about the Diamonds being so experienced (and stale), the teams named tonight have similar levels of experience. Tonight the Diamonds have a 12 with 506 test caps and the SF 462. (Hopefully I can add up!) The Diamonds definitely do have the most conservative approach to introducing new players to the court, NZ sits somewhere in the middle, and then the Roses seem to be the most bold in blooding new players. All approaches have pros and cons. Teams have to have succession planning and expose the next generation of players, but it is a national team and I think there is an expectation that Australia puts its best foot forward in the CC (although that obviously hasn’t worked out for them this time) and plays its best 7. I agree with other comments that Australia perhaps missed the chance in the England series to give Dwyer etc more time.
I think the Diamonds success, particularly at major tournaments, in the last few years has been remarkable and has been during phases of rebuilding after some big departures. SM started in 2020 and 2019 saw the retirement of the two Caitlins and during her tenure Bueta has also been unavailable. I don’t have strong opinions either way on SM, but I do think that on the whole she has a great record.
Earlier in the thread there was a comment about the Diamonds being under pressure, thus some of the errors and misses. Sure, but I think what is unusual is historically various iterations of this Diamonds team have encountered enormous pressure and committed so few errors. I also think the Diamonds are missing Fretwell, not just for her playmaking, but for her leadership.
Crossing my fingers for an Austin revival tonight and hoping Australia can avoid the whitewash.
