| |
| |
![]() |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SYDNEY: Australia's world champion women's basketball team named Friday will be spearheaded by dual Olympian Lauren Jackson for next month's Beijing Olympics tournament, the Australian Olympic Committee said.
Coach Jan Stirling rates the Australian team for Beijing as stronger than the one which landed its first-ever world championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2006.
"The team is even better than the one we took to the world championships, and facing off against Brazil later this month will give us the preparation we need," Stirling said in the AOC statement.
The team has two changes in its roster since winning the world championship.
"Since winning gold in Sao Paulo, the athletes have been steadily improving and with the addition of Rohanne Cox we are going to be really strong," Stirling said.
Currently playing in the United States with WNBA team Seattle, superstar Jackson and 2006 world championship most valuable player Penny Taylor will spearhead the Opals.
The team comprises six Olympians - Jackson, Kristi Harrower, Taylor, Belinda Snell, Suzy Batkovic and Laura Summerton - and six Olympic debutantes.
Australia finished with the silver medal behind the United States at the past two Olympic Games.
- AFP
|
