PETALING JAYA: The tri-nation squash doubles test featuring Malaysia, India and New Zealand from June 17-19 will be used to finalise the Malaysian squad for the Commonwealth Games.
With squash doubles also offering medals at the Glasgow Games (from July 23-Aug 3), the objective of the test is also to allow the players to try their hand at playing doubles.
At the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, Malaysia took home a gold and bronze through the efforts of world No. 1 Nicol David in singles and the partnership of Ong Beng Hee-Nicol in the mixed doubles.
Malaysia are set to send one pair each for the doubles events – Beng Hee-Ivan Yuen (men’s doubles), Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan-Delia Arnold (mixed doubles) and Nicol-Low Wee Wern (women’s doubles).
The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM), however, have also named Valentino Bon Jovi Bong, Vanessa Raj and Rachel Arnold as reserves.
“Right now, we have a pair for each doubles event although we are really counting on Nicol-Wee Wern to deliver in women’s doubles,” said SRAM general manager Christopher Brodie.
“Nafiizwan and Delia can also double up in another event and there is also the option of sending Valentino, Rachel or Vanessa to the Games.
“But that will really depend on the results in the tri-nation test.”
The test should not be taken lightly as New Zealand and India are sending their top players.
The Kiwis will be led by women’s world No. 4 Joelle King, who is also the reigning silver medallist with Martin Knight in the Commonwealth Games. The other players are Campbell Grayson, Paul Coll, Lance Beddoes, Megan Craig, Amanda Landers-Murphy and Kylie Lindsay.
India will be represent by top Asian men’s players Saurav Ghosal and Harinderpal Sandhu, women’s world No. 10 Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa.
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