Cambage return boosts Opals

CANBERRA (2015 FIBA Oceania Women's Championship) - Australian basketball is set to get back one of its biggest and brightest stars in the coming days, just in time for the FIBA Oceania Women's Championship.

Center Liz Cambage, who ruptured her Achilles tendon just a week before the start of the 2014 FIBA Women's World Championship in Turkey, is fully fit and raring to go with the Australians set to take on Japan in a friendly series Down Under.

It's a bonus to have her [Cambage] available for the series against Japan, but the focus is to have her on court against New Zealand. - Joyce

The Opals will play take on the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship winners at Dandenong on 27 July, in Frankston two days later and then at Ballarat on 31 July.

"It's fantastic to have Liz back," said national team coach Brendan Joyce said.

"We'll ease her into it."

The Opals square off against New Zealand's Tall Ferns on 15 August in Melbourne and then a couple of days later in Tauranga.

Cambage was missed last year at the World Championship but the Opals were still formidable and ended up reaching the podium.

They gave eventual champions USA their biggest test in the Semi-Finals and then thrashed hosts Turkey in the battle for third place.

Also making their Opals' return will be Tess Madgen, who is back in Australia following a debut stint in the WNBA with Phoenix Mercury, and Rachel Jarry, who had to pull out of her first WNBA season with the Minnesota Lynx with a knee injury.

Jarry was terrific for the Australians at the World Championship.

Aimie Clydesdale, meanwhile, is in the current 16-strong Opals squad after some impressive displays at the World University Games.

Joyce is genuinely excited about taking on the Japanese.

"We toured Japan before the World Championships back in June last year," he said.

"Their explosiveness is going to test us defensively.

"It's going to be tremendous preparation for the Oceania Championships.

"Japan may not be the biggest team in the world, but they're certainly quick.

"To have these internationals played in our country and getting out to regional centers, which are key in our development pathways, is a great plus.

"It's a great promotion for our game and we’re looking forward to playing to some packed stadiums."

The winner of the FIBA Oceania Women's Championship will clinch a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Games, and the side that loses will get to compete at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament (WOQT).

Australia preliminary squad for 2015 FIBA Oceania Women's Championship: Suzy Batkovic, Sara Blicavs, Natalie Burton, Elizabeth Cambage, Aimie Clydesdale, Katie-Rae Ebzery, Madeleine Garrick, Laura Hodges, Rachel Jarry, Alice Kunek, Tessa Lavey, Tess Madgen, Elyse Penaluna, Belinda Snell, Stephanie Talbot, and Kelly Wilson.

FIBA