Australia too good for England in netball curtain raiser.

In the early game of Sunday night's historic international double header at the TECT Arena at Taurang'a Baypark, Australia were never under any pressure from England and took the opportunity to blood some new players in an impressive performance.

The Diamonds were given some stern competition early on, and were up by just 12-7 after the first quarter, but moved out to 29-16 at the halftime break with their traditional fast transition through the midcourt proving too much for the English team.

Australia then cruised away to lead 46-25 after the third period before finishing the game well ahead by 57-35.

The sold out crowd of 3100 was comfortably seated well into the game's third quarter and there was a buzz of anticipation ahead of the Silver Ferns first appearance in Tauranga tonight against South Africa.