Badminton: Strong team named to defend Whyte Trophy

By Terry Maddaford

Chasing their first win in Australia in 30 years, the New Zealand badminton selectors have named a strong but predictable team to defend the Whyte Trophy next month.

Nick Hall and Li Feng will play in the singles, Tammy Jenkins and Rhona Robertson in the women's doubles and Dean Galt and Dan Shirley in the men's doubles. The mixed doubles pairing will not be decided until after a series of matches against a strong Chinese side here early next month.

"We have a number of options," said selector and national coach Graeme Robson yesterday. "We could use Dan Shirley and Tammy Jenkins, Dean Galt and Jenkins or Galt and Lianne Shirley."

With Jenkins and either Dan Shirley or Galt as the first preference, Lianne Shirley and Geoff Bellingham could have little court-time in the three-test series to be played in Canberra (July 23), Newcastle (July 25) and Brisbane (July 28).

"I feel we have a good chance of retaining the trophy we won 3-0 - in Christchurch, Hastings and Hamilton - two years ago," said Robson. "It is a strong, evenly balanced team."

Much will depend on Li Feng's return to competitive play for the first time since last year's Commonwealth Games.

While she has not played in any of the selection tournaments, Robson is confident Li Feng has recovered from a knee operation and will be at full fitness for the matches against China starting on July 6.

New Zealand: Dean Galt (Wellington), Nick Hall (North Harbour), Geoff Bellingham (Waitakere), Dan Shirley (Waitakere), Li Feng (Auckland), Rhona Robertson (Auckland), Tammy Jenkins (North Harbour), Lianne Shirley (North Harbour).

To play the Oceania Championships: the above players plus Chris Blair (North Harbour), John Gordon (Waitakere), Rebecca Gordon (Auckland), Nicole Gordon (Auckland).