Netball: Champs return for Australia

The Constellation Cup will be the first time Australia take since winning the World Cup. Photo / Getty

Nine players from Australia's World Cup winning side will return for the Diamonds in next month's Constellation Cup series against the Silver Ferns.

Australia have named an extended 15-player squad, including four debutants, for the four-test series beginning in Christchurch on October 20. Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander has indicated she will use a different 12-strong test line-up for the New Zealand and Australian legs of the series.

Following the retirements of defenders Julie Corletto and Rebecca Bulley, and the international retirement of vice-captain Kim Green, Alexander has named the uncapped Gretel Tippett (Firebirds), Ashleigh Brazill (Fever), Gabi Simpson (Firebirds) and Joanna Weston (Vixens).

Along with the quartet, defenders Clare McMeniman and April Letton have earned recalls.

"We're thrilled that all nine Netball World Cup players made themselves available for Constellation Cup selection," Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander said.

"The Constellation Cup not only gives us the chance to write the next chapter in our storied rivalry with the Silver Ferns but the opportunity to reward those previously on the cusp of selection and working hard in our squad."

West Coast Fever captain Brazill may finally get her opportunity to pull on the green and gold, three years after a knee injury prevented the midcourter from making her international debut with the Diamonds.

Young guns Tippett and Simpson have been rewarded with maiden Diamonds selections for breakout seasons with ANZ Championship premiers Queensland Firebirds while Weston continued to stake her claim as a future Diamonds defender.

"Such is the depth in Australian netball, the new inclusions were unlucky to miss out on Diamonds selection for the Netball World Cup but we're excited to be able to further develop our squad and team to begin the new cycle and defend our Commonwealth Games and Netball World Cup gold medals," Alexander said.

Next month's series will be the first time the Diamonds have taken the court since defeating the Silver Ferns by three goals to win a third consecutive World Cup in August.

Along with Weston, Kristiana Manu'a and Liz Watson have been elevated into the extended 2015-16 Diamonds squad and are available for future international selection, including a tour to England in January.

Australian Diamonds for 2015 Constellation Cup:

Caitlin Bassett, Ashleigh Brazill, Erin Bell, Laura Geitz, Paige Hadley, Renae Ingles (nee Hallinan), Sharni Layton, April Letton, Clare McMeniman, Natalie Medhurst, Kim Ravaillion, Gabi Simpson, Caitlin Thwaites, Gretel Tippett, Joanna Weston.