Squash: Marshall's law

Peter Marshall ended the most memorable year of his career yesterday with defeat by the former world champion, Rodney Martin, and a threat that he would refuse to play for England.

The Australian took revenge on the British national champion in the Qatar international here for a defeat in October in the Dutch Open. But Marshall may have his own retribution for the Squash Rackets Association for its refusal to compromise with those threatening to boycott next month's English national championships.

'I am very disappointed with the SRA and their response to the players,' he said. 'I shall support them if the boycott goes ahead. I want to play for my country but I don't want to play for the SRA.'

Marshall's solidarity is crucial to the rebels because according to the rules, which the players want changed, the best man in this country would still be eligible for England even if he does not play in the nationals, as is currently necessary. Marshall will be playing instead in the Super Series final in Zurich.

If Marshall declined to play in the European and World Championships next year, the SRA would either have to select a team of players outside the top 20, or no team at all, or back down from its current stance.