In a dramatic climax to the Women’s World Team Squash Championship in Canada, second seeds England defeated first-time finalists Malaysia 2-1 to win the biennial World Squash Federation event for the seventh time. It also means that England become the first nation to hold both the men’s a women’s title at the same time.
It was England’s 11th successive appearance in the final – a record – but the win at Niagara-on-the-Lake was their first since their 2006 success, also in Canada, at Edmonton.
Warwickshire’s Sarah-Jane Perry gave England the perfect start by beating Delia Arnold in straight games, only for world no.1 Nicol David to level matters by defeating world champion Laura Massaro 3/0.
However, Middlesex’s Alison Waters (pictured) clinched the title when she beat Low Wee Wern 3/1 in the deciding match.
England Assistant National Coach David Campion said: “It’s been a great week for us, despite the ups and downs, and our success is down to the professionalism of the players and the spirit in the camp. It was a superb final.
“We always felt that Sarah-Jane would give a performance today and she did.”
Perry trounced Arnold 11-8, 11-9, 11-7, having clinched England’s passage to the final against Hong Kong China the day before in the tie’s crucial match.
“That was so, so, different from yesterday,” said the world No.17. “I wanted to get the girls off to a good start.
“I’m sharing with Laura, the team captain, and she’s been amazing. It’s good to have this solid team support. I know how much Ali and Laura wanted this after being in losing finals before.”
Next on the all-glass showcourt were the top strings – David and Massaro – for the 30th time since 2005 and again the Malaysian dominated, extending her 10-year unbeaten record in the event to triumph 11-8, 11-9 11-3 and force a decider.
England looked set to claim the title in straightforward style when Waters took the first two games against the world no.7 and led 8-6 in the third.
However, plucky Low – who had clinched Malaysia’s place in the final the day before by winning the decider against top seeds and defending champions Egypt – reeled off five points in a row to reduce the world no.5’s lead.
From 2-3 down in the fourth, though, Waters won seven successive points before closing out the match 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4 after 69 minutes.
“It was a great final,” Waters said afterwards. “We actually won here last time in Canada, so it was a good omen for us.”
It was an impressive comeback from the Londoner after her loss to the lower-ranked Joey Chan on Friday, which forced a surprise decider in the semi-final.
“Yesterday was probably the hiccup I needed. I got my game wrong and my tactics wrong. Today I just played my game,” said Waters.
“Even after losing the third game, I was able to keep my composure.
“We have absolutely amazing support – we’re so lucky to be here with the support we get.
“I’m just so happy for the team.”
Massaro echoed her team-mate’s view, saying: “This has been an amazing event from every point of view and thanks to Squash Canada for doing such a great job.
“A massive congratulations to Malaysia for what they’ve achieved this week – it was a great final.
“There’s been an unbelievable team spirit in the England camp this week – and I honestly believe that is what has made the difference. And without the support of Sport England and the English Institute of Sport (EIS), this would not have been possible.”
England now hold both the men’s and women’s world team titles, with the men having triumphed in France last year.
Report courtesy of EnglandSquashAndRackets.com