Fully recovered from a calf tear, veteran shooter Catherine Cox still isn't betting on making the starting line-up for the Diamonds' three-Test series against New Zealand in September.
Competition for spots is hotter than ever as the Australian netball squad prepares to go for a hat-trick of Constellation Cup victories starting with the opening Test at Melbourne's Hisense Arena in two weeks.
Making it tougher is the new system the Diamonds have introduced, culling the number of available players for each Test from 15 to 12.
Cox, who's back training with the team for the first time since suffering an "old girl's injury" to her calf a fortnight ago, said she's fighting just to make the last cut.
"There's pressure right to the very last minute for you to have to perform," she told NZN on Friday.
"It's good because it keeps everyone on their toes.
"But I've got to put my best foot forward as much as everyone else to be able to get myself in that 12."
It puts even more pressure on selection for the starting seven, with Cox downplaying her chances.
World championship-winning shooter Caitlin Bassett is a frontrunner, while Susan Pratley, Natalie Medhurst and Erin Bell are also gunning for positions.
"God no, I do not expect to be a starter as well," said the 36-year-old Cox.
"I'm relieved just to get into the team."
Cox agreed coach Lisa Alexander could play around with combinations with no world championship or Commonwealth Games titles on the line this year.
The Diamonds beat the Silver Ferns in last year's Constellation Cup to claim their No.1 ranking and go back to back, although the vice-captain believes Australia has a fight on their hands to secure three in a row.
"Look at all our past results and it's usually Australia, New Zealand, Australia, New Zealand," Cox said.
"We would never expect to win these games.
NZN
