Caitlin Bassett is battling what could prove a career ending injury after being forced out of the Constellation Cup.
Former Diamonds captain Caitlin Bassett will be sidelined for months and miss upcoming Test matches against England and New Zealand after undergoing knee surgery.
Bassett, who quit the Giants in 2020 after struggling for game time and lost the outright captaincy of the national team, injured the meniscus in her right knee ahead of the Constellation Cup series in New Zealand in March.
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She then damaged the meniscus in her left knee while playing for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the New Zealand domestic season.
Conservative management got her through but ongoing symptoms and reduced function forced Bassett, 33, to have surgery.
“This season was particularly challenging as these injuries inhibited my ability to jump, hold and move like I normally would,” Bassett said.
“I am disappointed not to be available for the upcoming Diamonds Test matches, but this is what’s going to be best for my knees and I will turn my focus to the recovery and rehabilitation.
Posting on instagram, Bassett added: “This image sums up the reality of being an athlete for me this year. You may have noticed me sporting a little extra strapping tape this season, unfortunately when I first arrived in NZ for the Constellation Cup way back in March I damaged the meniscus in my right knee at training and later on during my season with the Magic I evened things up by doing the same thing to my left knee in a game.
“Performance wise it’s been a frustrating year as I haven’t been able to move/jump/hold/train/play the way I know I am capable of.
“The only way to get this sorted is to have surgery which means unfortunately I will be not be able to take part in the upcoming test matches with @aussiediamonds.
“I will be spending some well overdue time with my family in Perth while recovering with the plan to get my body back into netball ready shape, if you see me hobbling around don’t be shy!”
Diamonds coach Stacey Marinkovich used rolling captains when Australia played New Zealand earlier this year, including Bassett. A full-time skipper is yet to be appointed.
Australia will take on England for the first time in three years, with a three-match series planned for this October, which will mark the first international netball on Australian soil for more than 700 days.
The Diamonds will then tackle New Zealand in four matches from October 13, with games set to be played in both countries, pending border restrictions.