The Diamonds were on it from the off against the Roses, scoring seven goals unchecked in the frenetic opening exchanges to lead 19-11 after the first quarter.

England stayed in contact but could not make a dent in Australia's lead, with the defending champions running out 68-50 winners.

“(It is) the weirdest emotions for me to have to deal with,” Kiera Austin, winning her 50th cap as well as the bronze medal, said.

“All of us were upset (after the semi-final loss to Jamaica). There were tears. But to regather ourselves as quickly as we did and go out and put in a performance like we did today, is something we should be super proud of.

“It's great to know that we're capable of turning things around and performing in such a short space of time.”

Goal keeper Courtney Bruce was delighted with the bronze medal, describing world netball as “the closest it's ever been”.

“Obviously we wanted to be playing in the gold-medal match, but I think it's incredible for the sport that the top five or six nations are so evenly matched now,” Bruce said.

“It's competitive, it's tough, and that's great for netball.”

The 18-goal margin of defeat for England was only one goal better than the 66-47 reverse they suffered against Australia in the pool phase.

“I'm proud of the whole team - I feel like we really put up a fight out there and showed passion,” England’s goal shooter, Eleanor Cardwell, said.

“The Diamonds are just too good for us at the minute. We have beaten them in the past, but at the minute that just looks like the true reflection of where we're at.

“We have got many years (ahead) in this team and if we can keep this squad together and continue working on the individual things we all need to improve with our clubs, then this squad will really shine at some point.”