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Australia defeated by Jamaica 57-55 in Commonwealth Games netball boilover

Jamaica topped its pool with its history-making win over the Diamonds. (Getty Images: Matthew Lewis)

Australia's Commonwealth Games netball campaign has been dealt a blow, with the Diamonds falling to Jamaica in a thrilling pool match in Birmingham. 

Jamaica trailed by as many as six goals heading into the final quarter, but finished in resounding fashion to overhaul the Diamonds with a 57-55 victory.

It is the first time in Commonwealth Games history that Jamaica has defeated Australia in netball.

The win means unbeaten Jamaica tops Pool A ahead of the Diamonds, who will now play England in a mouth-watering semi-final.

Jamaica captain Jhaniele Fowler, who plays for West Coast Fever in Super Netball, had a starring role in her team's win with 47 goals.

Jamaica was rewarded for its persistence in its shock victory over the Diamonds. (Getty Images: Matthew Lewis)

Shanice Beckford provided a valuable 10-goal haul.

Gretel Bueta was the Diamonds' top scorer with 36 goals, while Steph Wood added 19.

"It's surreal, we've not beaten Australia at a Commonwealth Games and to come here and do it with an incredible team … and prove everyone wrong was really good," Fowler said.

"Most definitely it does mean more [to beat Australia].

"Australia is number one and if we beat the number one team that means we can do anything.

"We want to go home with either a gold or a silver medal, but we're going for the gold. That's always been our focus."

Fowler was unstoppable for Jamaica, with no-one in the Diamonds squad able to counter her size and strength.

Jamaica's game plan was evident from the outset: get the ball to Fowler early and often, and by whatever means necessary.

Australia's Gretel Bueta (left) faced the defensive pressure of Jamaica's Shamera Sterling during the match. (Getty Images: Matthew Lewis)

It turned the centre third into a battleground as players hit the deck on numerous occasions.

The Diamonds had not lost a single quarter all tournament, but on the back of Fowler doing what she wanted Jamaica jumped out to a 7-3 lead.

The Diamonds worked their way back into the contest with Bueta matching Fowler's 10 first-quarter goals as they took a one-goal lead to the first break.

They started imposing themselves in the second quarter to open up 27-23 lead, but to the delight of the crowd Jamaica stormed home to get within one goal at the long break.

The third quarter was dominated by the Diamonds, who jumped out to a six-goal lead before Jamaica's late surge in the final term.

"We probably let ourselves down with some execution stuff in that last quarter," Diamonds centre Kate Moloney said.

"Credit to Jamaica but we probably should have been able to run that one out.

"When they've got weapons like they do … you never really have it."

England beat New Zealand 54-44 to set up a repeat of the 2018 final, in which England came out one-point victors.

ABC/AAP

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