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Australian netball has a new hero after Caitlin Bassett scored in the dying seconds of extra time to steal the world title from New Zealand 58-57 in Singapore.
"She's a champion," declared Australia coach Norma Plummer after her team's heart-stopping win in the world championship final.
The 23-year-old, who entered the tournament with just five Test caps, was the game breaker for the Diamonds.
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In another chapter between the game's greatest rivals, the final went into over-time after the Diamonds clawed their way back to tie up the game 46-46 at the end of regular time.
They went goal for goal in extra time, which is seven minutes each way, and were locked at 52-52 when they changed ends.
Silver Ferns shooter Maria Tutaia had the chance to win the match for her side but missed her goal and Bassett made no mistake down the other end.
With Australia trailing for much of the game, Bassett slotted two goals in the final minute to get her side back level and then missed another in the dying seconds which would have given the Diamonds victory.
Australia skipper Natalie von Bertouch said the win was sweet revenge after last year's heart break when they lost the Commonwealth Games gold medal to the Silver Ferns in Delhi in double overtime.
"There couldn't be anything better," von Bertouch said.
"We just kept fighting back and they kept pulling away and we kept fighting again.
"It just came down to who was in front when the whistle blew."
The win gave the defending champions their 10th world title, after winning the 2007 crown in Auckland over the Kiwis.
Trailing 26-20 at halftime the introduction of Bassett proved the difference.
The 192cm Bassett replaced Catherine Cox and her extra height gave the Australians a better target against the physical defence of Silver Ferns skipper Casey Williams.
They went on a unchallenged run of five goals to get within a point before New Zealand coach Ruth Aitken called time out.
Aitken said she was shattered for her players, some in tears as they collected their silver medals.
"It was an amazing game, I just really feel for my players," Aitken said.
New Zealand led at every point until the 39th minute, when Australia briefly stole a 30-29 lead, before the Kiwis again hit the front and were up 36-35 at three-quarter time.
Veteran shooter Irene van Dyk was pivotal in the first half for the Kiwis.
Van Dyk, 39, shot 100 per cent in the opening half, with 17 goals from 17 attempts to help set up the six-goal lead at the main break.
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