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Diamonds overwhelm Barbados at Netball World Cup

Gretel Tippett of Australia in action during the preliminaries stage two schedule match between Australia and Barbados at M&S Bank Arena. Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

Australia have lifted their intensity at the Netball World Cup to record a 91-22 blowout win over Barbados in Liverpool.

The unbeaten Diamonds produced their best performance of the tournament on Monday to all but ensure they will qualify for the semi-finals.

A fourth lopsided win from four group games came a day after coach Lisa Alexander called on the tournament format to be addressed, believing fans and broadcasters want to see more competitive matches from the outset at the sport's showpiece.

Any prospect of Barbados providing more fight than first-round group opponents Zimbabwe, Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka was blown away in the opening minutes.

Alexander said the biggest improvement came in Australia's transition game.

"I was much more pleased with how quickly we got into defence after we turned the ball over," she said.

"There was more intent from the players. It was just quicker and more intense."

A new-look defensive combination conceded only two goals in the second quarter as Australia constructed a 46-7 lead at halftime.

Alexander emptied her bench at the main break, leaving just defenders Courtney Bruce and Jo Weston on court for a full game.

Weston played out of position at wing defence, the fourth player used in that role at the tournament as Alexander tries to pin down her best seven.

Rookie goal keep Sarah Klau impressed in the first half at goal defence while Jamie-Lee also had half a game in an unfamiliar bib, at centre.

All of Australia's four shooters were busy, given half a game each. Caitlin Bassett returned the only perfect figures, landing all 20 of her shots.

The 11-time champions should account for Malawi on Wednesday morning (AEST) before their only true group phase test, against unbeaten New Zealand.

On the other side of the draw, Jamaica look set to miss the semi-finals for the first time in 24 years.

A 56-48 loss to hosts England came a day after their upset at the hands of South Africa, leaving the newly promoted world No.2 ranked side staring at an early exit unless other results go their way over the final two rounds.