PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s men’s doubles have one less concern ahead of the Thomas Cup in Horsens, Denmark, next month after England opted not to field their top pair, Ben Lane-Sean Vendy.
England are one of Malaysia’s opponents in Group B, alongside Japan and Finland.
Although Malaysia are expected to have little trouble overcoming England on paper, the Lane-Vendy pairing have often proven to be a thorn in the side for the national men’s doubles, including world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik.
The last time they met, the world No. 15 pair denied Aaron-Wooi Yik the chance to capture the Arctic Open title in October.
The English duo have also beaten former world No. 1 pair Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin twice, with their most recent victory coming in the second round of the Malaysian Open in January.
So far, only Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun have managed to overcome Lane-Vendy.
However, Aaron said he is unfazed by who they will face in the Thomas Cup, stressing that he will not take any opponent lightly.
“I’m not aware of this (Lane-Vendy’s absence), but for me, it does not matter who plays or not in the Thomas Cup. What matters is that we get the win.
“I don’t think they pose a big problem for us, but I admit they are not easy to beat. Still, our team have the advantage,” said Aaron.
Besides Lane-Vendy, England have also left out Rory Easton, Callum Hemming and Ethan Van Leeuwen, instead naming several new faces including Sam Jones-Oliver Butler and Harry Wakefield-Robin Harper.
The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will wait until after the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China, from April 7-12 before naming the 10 players for the Thomas Cup.
