KEY POINTS:
Star defender Mo'onia Gerrard will return to the Australian netball team to contest next month's world championship in Auckland after recovering from a leg injury.
Australian coach Norma Plummer yesterday announced her 12 players for the November tournament, with Gerrard back after missing the July series against Jamaica and New Zealand with calf trouble.
The only player from that series not included is Natasha Chokljat.
Youngsters Lauren Nourse, Julie Prendergast and Natalie Medhurst, who all made impressive international debuts this year, were called up again.
Veteran Liz Ellis will captain the side, the 34-year-old playing in her fourth world championships to equal former captain Vicky Wilson's record for contesting the most world titles.
Only three players have previous world championships experience - Ellis, vice-captain Sharelle McMahon and shooter Catherine Cox.
Plummer said she was confident about the mix of experienced and youthful players as Australia, the No 2 side, attempt to win back the No 1 tag from the Silver Ferns.
"Six of our players competed at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games and the whole squad have experienced the pressure situations in the international arena over the past two years," Plummer said.
"They are capable of handling anything."
AAP