By Suzanne McFadden
Australia hope veteran centre Carissa Tombs will make a winning difference against the Silver Ferns at the world netball championships in Christchurch in September.
Tombs, who has played 86 tests for Australia, will leave her new home in England to play for the world No 1 side again.
Tombs was
missing from the team who lost to New Zealand in February this year. She moved to England with her husband, former Wallaby Richard Tombs, who has a rugby contract there.
The Australians named their 12 last night, with Tombs the only change to the side who walloped South Africa by 61 goals on Friday. She replaces debutante Nicole Richardson.
New Zealand coach Yvonne Willering said she did not believe Tombs was the difference between Australia losing or winning the Fisher and Paykel Cup clash at the start of the year.
"She is just part of their game-plan. She wouldn't have made a difference to the team who we beat in February," she said.
"I think she will find it hard stepping straight back into test netball after living in England, where she has been training but not playing."
Formidable shooter Vicki Wilson will lead the Australians for the last time at the world championships, after which she will retire from the game.
New Zealand-born shooter Catherine Cox has missed selection for the world championships after playing against England last month.
The Australians will have a practice match against Fiji next month, but most of them will continue to play in the national league until the middle of August.
In contrast, the New Zealanders have been excused from their national championships to concentrate on team training squads.
Australia: Vicki Wilson, Jenny Borlase, Sharelle McMahon, Jacqui Delaney, Shelley O'Donnell, Carissa Tombs, Rebecca Sanders, Peta Squire, Liz Ellis, Kathy Harby, Sharon Finnan, Janine Ilitch.
