Aussies clinch S Africa netball series
By Steve Larkin 22/05/2003 11:07:35 PM
Australia tinkered with its lineup and toyed with its South African opposition while clinching another netball Test series.
Australia cruised to a commanding 80-34 victory at ETSA Park in Thursday night's second Test to take an unassailable two-nil lead in the three-match series.
The hosts were untroubled throughout the lopsided encounter against the world's fifth ranked side, with coach Jill McIntosh afforded the luxury of experimenting with her charges ahead of July's world championship defence in Jamaica.
Australia ensured the Proteas remained winless in 20 Tests between the nations with an opening quarter burst which stunned the visitors into submission.
The Australians notched seven goals before South Africa scored and ended the first stanza with a sizeable 20 goals to five advantage.
With goal shooter Cynna Neele (22 goals) and goal attack Sharelle McMahon (21 goals) on song, Australia's dominance continued in the second quarter as the hosts extended their lead to 30 goals at halftime, 43-13.
Coach McIntosh then altered her lineup, resting McMahon in her 50th Test appearance and Neele to provide younger members of her team with valuable game time ahead of Monday's announcement of Australia's world championship squad.
McIntosh's changes enabled the South Africans to gain some scoreboard respectability in the second half but the visitors remain at long odds to chalk up a win in the final Test of the series in Perth on Saturday.
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