Lauren Jackson saved the best game of her Opals comeback for last, starring for Australia as they clinched World Cup bronze with a 95-65 defeat of Canada at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.
Jackson confirmed just hours before tip-off her Opals comeback would conclude after the World Cup, at which she played all eight games for Australia following an absence of nine years from the national team.
Following a second-half rampage that helped her finish with 30 points – the second-highest tally for anyone in a single game this World Cup – Jackson left Australian fans to wonder whether she might reconsider her retirement.
Coach Sandy Brondello had alluded to the fact Australia’s bench would play a big role in the bronze-medal tie, which took place just 16 hours after their semi-final loss.