Australia have lifted their intensity at the Netball World Cup to record a 91-22 blowout win over Barbados in Liverpool.
The unbeaten Diamonds produced their best performance of the tournament on Monday night to all but ensure they will qualify for the semi-finals.
On a roll: Jo Weston helps Australia to their fourth win in as many games at the World Cup. Credit:PA
A fourth lopsided win from four group games came a day after coach Lisa Alexander called on the tournament format to be addressed, believing fans and broadcasters want to see more competitive matches from the outset at the sport's showpiece.
Any prospect of Barbados providing more fight than first-round group opponents Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka was blown away in the opening minutes.
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Alexander said the biggest improvement came in Australia's transition game.
"I was much more pleased with how quickly we got into defence after we turned the ball over," she said.
"There was more intent from the players. It was just quicker and more intense."
A new-look defensive combination conceded only two goals in the second quarter as Australia constructed a 46-7 lead at half-time.
Alexander emptied her bench at the main break, leaving just defenders Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston on court for a full game.
Weston played out of position at wing defence, the fourth player used in that role at the tournament, as Alexander tries to pin down her best seven.
However, the coach said wing defence wasn't necessarily proving problematic.
"It's not giving me any headaches at all," she said.
"It's actually providing great options for us. I think we've got players who can cover most options out there."
Rookie goal keeper Sarah Klau impressed in the first half at goal defence while Jamie-Lee Price also had half a game in an unfamiliar bib, at centre.
Australia have lifted their intensity at the Netball World Cup to record a 91-22 blowout win over Barbados in Liverpool.
The unbeaten Diamonds produced their best performance of the tournament on Monday night to all but ensure they will qualify for the semi-finals.
On a roll: Jo Weston helps Australia to their fourth win in as many games at the World Cup. Credit:PA
A fourth lopsided win from four group games came a day after coach Lisa Alexander called on the tournament format to be addressed, believing fans and broadcasters want to see more competitive matches from the outset at the sport's showpiece.
Any prospect of Barbados providing more fight than first-round group opponents Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka was blown away in the opening minutes.
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Alexander said the biggest improvement came in Australia's transition game.
"I was much more pleased with how quickly we got into defence after we turned the ball over," she said.
"There was more intent from the players. It was just quicker and more intense."
A new-look defensive combination conceded only two goals in the second quarter as Australia constructed a 46-7 lead at half-time.
Alexander emptied her bench at the main break, leaving just defenders Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston on court for a full game.
Weston played out of position at wing defence, the fourth player used in that role at the tournament, as Alexander tries to pin down her best seven.
However, the coach said wing defence wasn't necessarily proving problematic.
"It's not giving me any headaches at all," she said.
"It's actually providing great options for us. I think we've got players who can cover most options out there."
Rookie goal keeper Sarah Klau impressed in the first half at goal defence while Jamie-Lee Price also had half a game in an unfamiliar bib, at centre.
