[Source: BBC Sport]

England’s wait for a first Netball World Cup title continues after Australia defeated the Roses to win the event for a 12th time.

The Roses were gradually overwhelmed by a dominant Australia, who pulled away to win 61-45.

England were appearing in their first World Cup final, following a group-stage win over Australia and a semi-final victory against New Zealand.

However, they will have to settle for leaving Cape Town with silver.

A dejected England may have missed out on the trophy, but they have equalled the nation’s best result at the tournament – previously achieved in 1975 after a round-robin event.

England claimed a thrilling 56-55 win against the Diamonds earlier in the week but repeating that feat against a nation that has featured in every World Cup final was too much to ask.

Some of Australia’s aura had been diminished after England claimed Commonwealth gold against them on the Gold Coast in 2018.

But the Diamonds took revenge to end England’s Commonwealth challenge at the semi-final stage in Birmingham last year, with this World Cup final the latest twist in a growing rivalry that so often swings Australia’s way.

Despite Australia maintaining their status at the top of world netball, England’s presence in the final and Jamaica’s bronze-medal victory against New Zealand earlier on Sunday shows the strength of the chasing pack.

Best clips and analysis from Australia’s win over England
England over-awed on biggest stage
England took confidence from their victory over the Diamonds on Thursday but Australia were powered by anger from the uncharacteristic defeat.

Keen to reassert themselves as the dominant force in world netball, Australia head coach Stacey Marinkovich used all her trump cards to keep England on the back foot throughout the final.

The tone was set when the Roses lost the ball on their first centre pass, but they battled to keep the scores level at 13-13 after the first quarter.

The Diamonds started to build their lead and England struggled to cope with a dynamic attack circle, which was boosted by the arrival of shooters Sophie Garbin and Kiera Austin

England coach Jess Thirlby tried multiple combinations in defence in an attempt to prevent the goal tally from running away, but a four-goal lead quickly became six before the wheels came off in the final period.

Even after half-time a comeback seemed unlikely as England seemed to lack the belief that had powered them through the tournament.

Australia capitalised on wayward passes and sloppy play in key areas as the Roses struggled to win the ball – something they have excelled at in previous matches.

The Australia players on the court and on the bench sensed victory was close even with several minutes remaining, as a Roses side who seemed overwhelmed by their first foray into a World Cup final looked increasingly out of sorts.

Questions will be asked over the choice and timing of Thirlby’s substitutions but in the end England were over-awed by a side who are, quite simply, so used to winning the big finals.

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