A diamond day for Aussie leader

SHARELLE McMAHON almost missed one of the proudest announcements of her sporting life. The 32-year-old captain of the Diamonds will become the first netballer - and only the fourth woman - to carry the Australian flag at tonight's Commonwealth Games opening ceremony, beating Games teammates such as swimmer Leisel Jones.

After Australia's chef de mission Steve Moneghetti named her as the flagbearer in a lavish reception at the Australian high commission in New Delhi, McMahon said: ''Wow - what a shock. Bit of a nicer finish to the day than we had earlier. A few teammates and I were hanging some washing out on the balcony in the athletes' village and one of the girls decided to shut it to keep the mozzies outside instead of inside. Advertisement: Story continues below

''We didn't realise the windows close from the outside and there's no getting back in. Luckily, someone passed by to rescue us.''

Diamonds teammate Mo'onia Gerrard said that seeing the skipper lead the 545-strong Australian team into Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium would increase the motivation to avenge the five-goal loss to arch rival New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne four years ago. ''She's a great chick, a great ambassador for netball and I am glad that she has been acknowledged for the effort that she has put in,'' Gerrard said.

''I am really excited for her. I mean, who gets asked to hold the flag at the Commonwealth Games?

''It is crazy to think that she is doing it. We are all a little bit overwhelmed by it but she is an awesome girl and we will be out to show that she deserved it.''

McMahon is the only member of the netball side to have played at all three previous Commonwealth Games, winning two gold medals and a silver medal.