Squash: English women win all round

ENGLAND'S women won a protest against Australia's playing order and an opening- day match against Canada in the World Team Championships yesterday, but might have been obstructed in their success had not Heather Wallace suffered a career-threatening Achilles tendon injury, writes Richard Eaton from St Peter Port, Guernsey.

Wallace, former Scottish national champion and now Canadian No 1, took the first game 9-2 against the British national champion, Suzanne Horner, before collapsing.

Martine Le Moignan, playing her last tournament before her home crowd, completed England's 3-0 win by beating Lori Styner 9-0, 9-0, 9-3, but it looks more likely that Sue Wright, England's other winner, will earn the third spot if England reach Saturday's final against the top-seeded Australians.

The No 3 position for Australia is now occupied by Liz Irving after the World Squash Federation upheld an appeal by England, claiming that Irving's recent form justified a demotion from No 2.