Australia clinches victory over England in Netball World Cup Finals 2023
Australia emerged victorious in the Netball World Cup final, defeating England with a final score of 61-45 in Cape Town. Despite a valiant effort from the English side, the world’s top-ranked team, Australia, demonstrated their superior prowess throughout the match, securing their 12th world title.
England, under the guidance of coach Jess Thirlby, had harbored dreams of claiming their first Netball World Cup title. However, Australia’s dominance, particularly in the second half, proved insurmountable. Thirlby acknowledged the disappointment of the defeat, citing the noticeable gap in experience between the two teams as a key factor in the outcome.
The historic final marked a departure from the norm, as previous World Cup finals had predominantly featured matchups between New Zealand and Australia – the dominant forces in international netball. England’s journey to the final was marked by their underdog status, reminiscent of their triumph at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
England’s remarkable journey in the tournament included defeating Australia in the pool stages, a historic first for the team. They further solidified their contention by eliminating defending champions New Zealand in the semifinals. However, Australia’s adaptability and strategic adjustments proved critical in their victory.
The match saw Australia’s keen understanding of the game coming into play as they capitalized on lessons learned from their previous loss to England. Thirlby highlighted the opposing team’s proactive changes, England’s errors, and their limited turnover as contributing factors to their defeat.
Despite their first-half efforts and a mere four-point deficit at halftime, England was unable to maintain their momentum against Australia’s unrelenting defense. Australia’s strategic substitutions and a defensive onslaught saw them extend their lead significantly by the third quarter.
Australia’s achievement in securing all major titles in the world of netball was met with jubilation and relief among their team. Meanwhile, England was left contemplating their near miss, with the taste of what might have been lingering in the aftermath of the game.
Australia finish business by crushing England in their biggest Netball World Cup win in 2023: Full match detail in short
Australia’s Netball World Cup trophy drought came to an emphatic end as they triumphed over England, securing a resounding 61-45 victory and clinching their 12th World Cup championship.
The Diamonds’ path to victory was not without its challenges. They faced an in-form Jamaican team on their way to the final showdown, where they met the Roses, the very squad that had inflicted their first-ever World Cup loss just days prior.
Kiera Austin emerged as a pivotal figure, altering the game’s dynamics upon entering the court during the second quarter. Her outstanding performance earned her the match’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
The Australian team demonstrated class and precision, effectively turning around their one-goal loss to England and emerging triumphant when it mattered most. Armed with insights gained from their previous encounter, the Diamonds were determined to avert a repeat of their defeat.
Australia swiftly took control, forcing an error from England’s opening center pass and capitalizing on the opportunity with Cara Koenen’s precise execution. Koenen’s adept baseline play, in tandem with Steph Wood, showcased the Diamonds’ offensive prowess.
While England’s Helen Housby and Eleanor Cardwell proved a formidable duo, the Diamonds’ midcourt defensive efforts curbed their impact, forcing Housby to operate farther from the circle edge.
The Australians’ ability to disrupt England’s attacking rhythm proved pivotal. Fran Williams, England’s standout defender and MVP in their previous clash with Australia, entered the game early and immediately made her presence felt, securing two crucial turnovers.
Despite a back-and-forth exchange of errors, the first quarter ended with the scores level. England’s consistent accuracy in shooting made it challenging for the Diamonds to seize momentum.
Each time Australia seemed poised to extend their lead, England managed to pull back, maintaining a narrow margin. England’s defense successfully slowed the Diamonds’ shooting circle entries in the second quarter.
Adjustments were made on both sides, with Garbin and Austin’s partnership proving effective for Australia. England’s defensive changes aimed to disrupt the Diamonds’ attacking rhythm, but Austin’s defensive contributions and precision shooting made a notable impact.
Australia managed to widen their lead in the second half, with Ash Brazill and Sarah Klau adding to the defensive effort. The Diamonds pushed their advantage to a game-high lead of 10 by the end of the third quarter.
Despite England’s spirited efforts in the final quarter, it was Garbin who delivered a decisive intercept in the closing minutes. Kiera Austin’s standout performance, netting 15 goals with a remarkable 88% accuracy, earned her the player of the match title.
This monumental victory marks the end of Australia’s eight-year wait for the World Cup trophy, solidifying their place among netball’s elite. With this triumph, the Diamonds have completed their collection of major titles, etching their legacy in the annals of netball history.
FAQ(s) about Netball World Cup
Q1. Who won Netball World Cup 2023?
Australia storms to Netball World Cup victory in 2023 with dominant win over England.
Q2. Who is playing in the 2023 netball world cup?
Here are the 16 teams that will compete in the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town:
South Africa, Australia, Barbados, England, Fiji, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Wales, Zimbabwe.
Q3. Who will host the next Netball World Cup?
The Australian netball team will now enter the 2027 World Cup in Sydney as defending champions and hosts, with the goal of winning a record 13th title.
Q4. What countries have won the Netball World Cup?
The Australian Diamonds are the most successful team in Netball World Cup history, with 11 titles to their name.
The Diamonds have won the tournament every four years since 1963, except for 1979, when they tied for first place with New Zealand and Trinidad and Tobago.
New Zealand and Trinidad and Tobago are the only other teams to have won the World Cup, with two titles each.
The Diamonds will be looking to add to their trophy case when they host the 2027 tournament in Sydney.
Q5. Who won the first Netball World Cup?
Australia made history in 1963 when they became the first ever Netball World Cup champions.
The Diamonds went undefeated throughout the tournament, winning ten straight games. One of their most memorable victories came against runners-up New Zealand, where they secured a one-goal victory.
