New captain Sharni Layton, uncapped players Courtney Bruce and Caitlyn Nevins and recalled shooter Susan Pettitt feature in the Australian Diamonds squad for the netball Quad Series early next year.
Defender Layton was awarded the captaincy after Laura Geitz's pregnancy and the retirement of Clare McMeniman, while shooter Caitlin Thwaites and midcourter Kim Ravaillion have been elevated to vice-captaincy roles.
Sharni Layton will lead the Diamonds as they seek successive Quad Series titles.Credit:Simon Watts
A squad of 12 has been named for the series next January and February, which will be played in South Africa and England and features the national teams of those countries, along with Australia and New Zealand.
Australia won the Quad Series contested by the same four nations this year, when matches were held on both sides of the Tasman.
Bruce was a linchpin of the West Coast Fever defence, while midcourter Nevins was often the only non-international in the trans-Tasman title-winning Queensland Firebirds' starting seven.
"Courtney put out very strong performances for West Coast Fever this year, and it was unfortunate that an injury kept her off the court in the latter part of the season," Diamonds' coach Lisa Alexander said.
"We have also been impressed with Caitlyn's consistent performances determination and her ability against the New Zealand style of play."
Veteran Pettitt, who has 54 Test caps after making her Australian debut in 2006, returns to the Diamonds squad for the first time in three years.,
"It will be a positive outcome for our team to have Susan's level of experience from the ANZ Championship court and previous international outings and her already well-established combinations with many of the team members," Alexander said.
The Quad Series starts in Durban on January 28.
It moves to England in early February, with matches scheduled in Liverpool and London.
Australian Diamonds Quad Series squad: Courtney Bruce, April Brandley, Paige Hadley, Sharni Layton (c), Caitlyn Nevins, Susan Pettitt, Kim Ravaillion, Gabi Simpson, Caitlin Thwaites, Gretel Tippett, Jo Weston, Stephanie Wood.