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Diamonds-Roses netball Test series cancelled

The Australian Diamonds series against the England Roses has been cancelled Nigel French/PA Images via Getty Images

The international series between the Australia Diamonds and England Roses has been cancelled due to the ongoing closure of the trans-Tasman travel bubble and COVID-19 restrictions.

The Diamonds were set to host the Roses for the first time in three years next month, with a three-Test series initially in the works. No dates or venues had been confirmed.

Netball Australia said in a statement it had "worked tirelessly" on the Roses' entry into the country, but no solution could be found in consultation with state governments.

England were meant to travel to Australia from New Zealand following their Taini Jamison Trophy triumph over the Silver Ferns. They were in hotel quarantine in Christchurch when the closure of the trans-Tasman bubble on August 31 threw those plans into disarray.

The decision to cancel the series came down to health and wellbeing of athletes, coaches and staff, as well as planning hurdles amid the delta outbreak of COVID-19.

The Diamonds will instead remain on the Sunshine Coast for a two-week training camp, while the Roses will return to England in the coming days.

Netball Australia CEO Kelly Ryan said it was disappointing that the series, which would have marked the return of international netball to Australian soil for more than 700 days, could not go ahead.

"We thank Netball England, Netball New Zealand and the state and federal governments for their support and unwavering commitment to play this series," Ryan said in a statement.

"The evolving COVID-19 restrictions meant that the Roses would have completed two quarantine periods during the series, which has significant impacts on health and wellbeing and performance.

"I am proud of Diamonds head coach Stacey Marinkovich and our athletes and staff for their commitment, resilience and understanding during these uncertain times."

Netball Australia has also flagged match-play and fan engagement opportunities for the Diamonds.