Australia's netballers are less than impressed after New Zealand officials offered a hamper of cosmetics and body wash as a player-of-the-series award for star shooter Sharelle McMahon.
In what Australians are describing as New Zealand's underarm delivery, the award was a far cry from the A$4000 ($4580) cheque given toSilver Ferns captain Adine Wilson who was named player of the match in the Brisbane test in July.
Captain Liz Ellis, who led Australia to a series-clinching victory in the third test in Christchurch on Monday, said she felt "ripped off" on vice-captain McMahon's behalf.
"It was just a basket of stuff... it looked like it was all testers and stuff that doesn't sell well. It was weird," Ellis told Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper.
"You'd think the player of the series would win something prestigious and nice.
"In the past it's always been pretty even between the two countries... Holden has done the right thing by us, and then we turn up to New Zealand and it's, well, odd."
And there were more surprises awaiting the Australians when they returned to Sydney Airport with the series trophy.
Only two fans, both seeking autographs for their daughters, were there to greet the team as they posed for photographers with the trophy.
One, Neil Riley, started work on his garbage truck at 4am then rushed to the airport after his shift expecting a jubilant crowd.
"It's a joke. We thought it would be packed, but it wasn't to be," he said.
Fan No 2, builder Adam Roy, agreed.
"There should be heaps of people here supporting Australian netball."
