A Constellation Cup around Christmas is unlikely, but plans are forging ahead for the four-test netball series to be held later this year

The annual series between the Silver Ferns and Australian Diamonds will be played after the conclusion of the respective domestic competitions.

The Australian domestic league will start in August and usually takes four months to complete running to a normal schedule.

But Netball New Zealand Head of High Performance Keir Hansen says December is an unlikely time for the Constellation Cup.