World number one Nick Matthew and women’s world number two Jenny Duncalf will head England’s challenge at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games in October.
 
The pair were today (Wednesday) named by Commonwealth Games England in a 10-strong squash team for Delhi.
 
Matthew went to the top of the world rankings for the first time in his career last month following victories in a string of major tournaments including the British Open, Canary Wharf Classic, Qatar Open and the Sky Open.
 
The 29-year-old from Sheffield makes his second appearance at a Commonwealth Games after just missing out on the medals in Melbourne four years ago, when he lost the men’s singles bronze medal match to another Englishman, Lee Beachill.
 
Matthew said: “I’m going there to win gold. Coming fourth last time was very disappointing. It hurt a lot - it’s the worst position you can finish. I’m going to use that experience to spur me on in Delhi.
 
“With squash not being in the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games are one of the highlights for us, especially as it only comes around every four years. Hopefully we can put on a show for people to prove what we could bring to the Olympics.
 
“The field in Delhi will be incredibly strong. Our preparations have been meticulous, but you can’t get ahead of yourself and we’ve got to make sure we do the simple things right.”
 
Such is the strength of England men’s squash that another three members of the men’s team also feature in the world’s top 10, with former world number two James Willstrop currently ranked sixth, Peter Barker eighth and Daryl Selby ninth.  Adrian Grant is ranked 13th in the world.
 
Jenny Duncalf is one of three England players in the world top-10 women’s rankings. She has a current career high position of second, behind Malaysia’s Nicol David. Ali Waters is ranked fourth in the world, with Laura Massaro eighth. Sarah Kippax is ranked 22 in the world, with Tania Bailey 32nd.
 
Duncalf, from Harrogate, said: “The Commonwealth Games are massive for us. They’re our Olympics.
 
“I’ve looked forward to it for four years since playing at the last Commonwealth Games. It’s right at the top of my list now and I’m really excited about it.
 
“We’ve got a good bunch of girls going and we’re all raring to go,” she added.
 
“I’ll probably be playing in three events. I’m obviously going for gold. It will be disappointing to come away with nothing, but I know it’s not going to be easy.”
 
Matthew, Willstrop, Grant, Duncalf, Waters and Bailey all featured in England’s team at the Melbourne Games four years ago. Willstrop and Bailey are the only medallists from Melbourne – they captured the mixed doubles silver and women’s doubles bronze respectively – both partnering Vicky Botwright. Bailey also won women’s doubles silver with Cassie Jackman at the Manchester 2002 Games.
 
The squash team’s selection today takes the total size of the England team for Delhi to date to 99 athletes, with more team announcements expected shortly.
 
Craig Hunter, England’s Chef de Mission for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games, said: “I’d like to congratulate members of the squash team on their selection and wish them the very best of luck for their preparations for Delhi.”
 
England have won a third of the 15 squash gold medals awarded to date since the sport was added to the Commonwealth Games programme at Kuala Lumpur in 1998, along with four silvers and 10 bronzes. That puts England second in the all-time Commonwealth Games squash medal table behind Australia.
 
England also finished second in the squash medals table to Australia in Melbourne, with two golds, a silver and two bronzes.
 
The England squash team for the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games is:
 
Men

Peter Barker – born 26.09.83 at Harold Wood, Essex; lives Islington, London.
Adrian Grant – born 06.10.80 at London; lives Lewisham, London.
Nick Matthew – born 25.07.80 at Sheffield, South Yorkshire; lives Sheffield.
Daryl Selby – born 03.11.82 at Harlow, Essex; lives Brentwood, Essex.
James Willstrop – born 15.08.83 at North Walsham, Norfolk; lives Pontefract, West Yorkshire.
 
Women

Tania Bailey – born 02.10.79 at Stamford, Lincolnshire; lives Stamford.
Jenny Duncalf – born 10.11.82 at Haarlem, Netherlands; lives Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Sarah Kippax – born 10.05.83 at Chester, Cheshire; lives Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Laura Massaro – born 02.11.83 at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk; lives Preston, Lancashire.
Ali Waters – born 19.03.84 at London; lives Oakwood, London.
 
The 2010 Commonwealth Games take place in Delhi, India, from 3 to 14 October 2010. They will feature 17 sports - archery, aquatics (swimming, synchronised swimming & diving), athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, gymnastics, hockey, lawn bowls, netball, rugby 7s, shooting, squash, table tennis, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling. With the 2012 Olympic Games in London and the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Commonwealth Games England is entering a breath-taking four years of sport.

Commonwealth Games England (GCE) is the organisation responsible for selecting and organising England's team at the Commonwealth Games.   England finished second to Australia on the medal table at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games with 36 golds, 40 silvers and 34 bronzes.

Sport England is responsible for building the foundations of sporting success, by creating a world-leading community sport system of clubs, coaches, facilities and volunteers. Their focus is growing and sustaining the numbers of people taking part in sport and improving talent development to help more people excel.
 
For further information about squash in England please see the England Squash & Racketball website at http://www.englandsquashandracketball.com/

For further information about Commonwealth Games England please contact the Commonwealth Games England press office at Matchtight Ltd on 07765 071683 or 07831 755351 or see the CGE’s website at www.weareengland.org <http://www.weareengland.org <http://www.weareengland.org> >