Renae Ingles, Jamie Lee Price, Sarah Klau make new-look Diamonds squad

FORMER Diamonds starRenae Ingles never expected to come out of retirement to play elite netball but less than two months later the midcourter and mother of twins has shocked again by making a return to the Australian netball squad.

Mother of two-year-old’s Milla and Jacob, Ingles was on Sunday named in her first Australian netball squad since 2015.

Ingles is part of a new-look, 17-strong squad which also boasts three new faces in Giants midcourter Jamie Lee Price, Swifts defender Sarah Klau and Perth young gun Jess Anstiss.

Her selection follows Ingles retiring from Super Netball in 2017 to support husband Joe in the US while he plays with NBA side, Utah Jazz.

But on her return to Australian in May, Ingles was offered a role with the Vixens and now, just months later, has made the Diamonds squad.

Ingles, who turns 32 on Wednesday, said she was brought to tears when the unexpected call came through from national coach Lisa Alexander to advise her she was back in the Diamonds’ squad.

“I actually started crying straight away,” she said.

“This is obviously a whirlwind for me. Nine weeks ago I was sitting on a couch in Salt Lake City retired from netball so it’s been an incredible nine weeks being back here with the Melbourne Vixens and just wanting to put my best foot forward and playing the role for them.

“Nine weeks ago this was so far from my reality. I thought my days of playing for Australia or being in the Australian squad were long gone so this was a really lovely surprise and something I’m really, really proud of.”

Ingles had previously recorded 67 capped outings for Australia and competed at the 2010 and 2014 Commonwealth Games, winning gold at the latter.

She was also named the Australian Diamonds International Player of the Year in 2013.

“We need her level of experience. We need pressure on the incumbents that are there,’’ said coach Lisa Alexander.

“It is a recognition of the style she plays which is so well suited to us.

“She put herself forward for selection. She knows it will difficult with her family but we will be supporting her.’’

Ingles’ inclusion adds experience to a squad missing veterans Laura Geitz — who also returned to the Diamonds after starting a family — Susan Pratley and Madi Robertson, who all announced their retirement from international netball last week.

Also missing is Sharni Layton, who opened up about her “mental health injury’’ in March.

It is understood she opted out of selection for “personal reasons.’’

While losing three of its starting seven from the Commonwealth Games, there is still plenty of experience in the squad headed by captain and Lightning shooter Caitlin Bassett.

Alexander has the option of adding another five players to her squad after the Super Netball playoffs.

Alexander last week said she wanted to see how players stood up to the pressure of finals netball which is behind her decision to keep spots open in the squad.

At the end of Super Netball, Alexander will select two teams for the upcoming Quad series, which is fought out annually between Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Commonwealth Games champions England, and the Constellation Cup with New Zealand in October.

The Quad series will see Australia play England in Newcastle on September 19 — the first time they have met since England beat Australia by one for the Commonwealth Games gold.