The 2009 renewal of the long battle for netball supremacy began in Sydney this afternoon with a thrilling, hard-fought 53-50 victory for the Silver Ferns.

A growing confidence on attack and the aerial skills of captain Casey Williams propelled the Silver Ferns to a 53-50 win over Australia in the first of the Holden Netball Test Series at the Acer Arena in Sydney today.

• See below for Match line-ups, quarter scores & shooting statistics
• Click here for the Photo Gallery - by Michael Bradley

Persevering with the desire of speed through the midcourt, Silver Ferns coach Ruth Aitken retained Liana Barrett-Chase (wing attack), Temepara George (centre) and Laura Langman (wing defence) from the World 7 series in today's starting line-up.

Depleted by injuries to their defensive line, the Australian Diamonds' problems were compounded by the loss of influential midcourter Natalie von Bertouch, who was also ruled out with injury. However, shooters Catherine Cox and captain Sharelle McMahon, boasting 170 caps between them, were reunited for the first time since 2007 to spearhead the Diamonds challenge.

The Silver Ferns were unable to capitalise on a dominant start as the new-look midcourt slotted into early form with an accurate and slick delivery. There were no problems for shooters Irene van Dyk and Maria Tutaia who converted their first five opportunities while the Diamonds had a shaky start under their hoop. Williams was in dominating form as she reeled in a clutch of rebounds from the luckless Diamonds shooters as the Silver Ferns enjoyed the better of the early exchanges.

Australia slowly found their rhythm, strong midcourt defensive play helped Cox and McMahon work their way into the game as the duo found their range to leave the scores tied 10-all at the first break.

The Diamonds made a strong start to the second quarter, stiffening their through-court defence which caused problems for the Silver Ferns on occasion. Wing defence Renae Hallinan, in just her second test, and the long reach of goalkeeper Susan Fuhrmann, being influential figures as they provided extra opportunities for the Diamonds.

After a rash of turnovers from both teams, the Silver Ferns had the better of the closing stages of the half. Van Dyk and Tutaia found plenty of space in the circle and were provided an ever-improving service from livewire feeders Barrett-Chase and George. The accurate finishing of the shooters and continued individual heroics of Williams pushed the visitors out to a 26-23 half-time advantage.

In a bid to raise their shooting percentages and add some speed, Susan Pratley replaced Cox, coming on at goal attack for Australia with McMahon moving back to goalshoot in the second half. The change provided extra impetus for the Diamonds, on attack, the greater ball speed and movement helping the flow as the two shooters combined seamlessly.

Hungry on defence and showing more resilience going forward, Australia had slightly the better of the third stanza but the Silver Ferns managed to hold them at bay to retain a 39-37 lead at three-quarter time.

It took until the latter stages of the final quarter for the game to spark to another level. The Silver Ferns, seemingly coasting home on the back of some sparkling inter-play from their front five, were suddenly confronted by a unsurprising late, high-spirited challenge from the Diamonds.

The Diamonds pegged the deficit back to just one goal a couple of times in the closing five minutes, through the exploits of Fuhrmann and some fine turnover work in the midcourt.

But greater accuracy in the shooting circle and patience under pressure was enough to a carry the Ferns home in the series-opener. The second of the three-test Holden Series will be held in Melbourne on Wednesday.

All Slideshow Images by Michael Bradley.