NWC: New Zealand World Champions; Sri Lanka 15th overall

New Zealand stunned holders and 11-time champions Australia to win the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool last night.

The final was tense throughout and came down to the dying seconds and just one goal, as the Kiwis prevailed 52-51.

It was the Silver Ferns fifth world title but their first since 2003 as they finally ended the Diamonds dominance. England clinched bronze with a 58-42 victory over South Africa in their play-off match earlier yesterday.

In a final that was evenly poised at half-time, New Zealand came out firing in the third quarter as they powered into a seven-goal lead with the 8,000-strong crowd behind them.

Australia reached the final unbeaten, defeating the Silver Ferns in their last group game by a single goal, and they brought the score back to that margin in the fourth quarter as Liverpool prepared for a spectacular finish.

However, the Silver Ferns held their nerve and ran the clock down to snatch the trophy from their long-time rivals. Sri Lanka meanwhile finished 15th overall after beating Singapore 78-57 in the play-off.

Lankan shooter Tharjini Sivalingam who set a new highest individual scoring record at the Netball World Cup, also finished as tournament’s top scorer with 348 goals in England.