Commonwealth Games: Squash changes to open game up

Joelle King. Photo / File.

A lowering of the tin has raised fresh challenges for squash doubles combinations at the Commonwealth Games.

In a bid to counter a belief the long rallies dulled the games in New Delhi four years ago, the tin at the front of the court has been shortened by four inches, down to 13 inches.

It has opened up new shotmaking possibilities and for second seeds, Martin Knight and Joelle King - defending the silver medal won in 2010 - it will make life interesting.

''It's created new attacking opportunities and because we haven't had that many matches (using the lowered tin) it's still a bit difficult," Aucklander Knight said today.

''We're still trying to work out exactly the best way. Four years ago we knew exactly what
we wanted to do before we got there. We'd had several leadup tournaments."

This time a tri-series with India and Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur has been the only international opportunity to test out the new front wall.

Knight and his men's doubles partner, Campbell Grayson, won the event; Knight and King were second, beaten by a handy Indian combination.

''We learnt a lot from that match. It was the first time we'd been pushed."

Melding the New Zealanders particular squash skills - and remembering King is world No 4, and third ranked in the singles in Glasgow - to the change is the key.

''You definitely create more openings if you get your tactics right. But you can get in a lot more awkward positions," Knight said.

''If you are a slightly more attacking player it gives you those openings. On the forehand side, Joelle is generally too strong for most players.

''She's got really good court presence, steps up the court well and has three or four options. She can cause a lot of problems."

When New Zealand had a triumphant tournament in New Delhi - King and the now-retired Jaclyn Hawkes also won the women's doubles gold - it was completely new.

However they were savvy enough to recognise an opportunity for success, better than most squash countries, who took a more flippant attitude towards the discipline.

Knight, who quips that ''Joelle's definitely the captain", reckons their relationship is key to their prospects.

''We've know each other many years and always got on pretty well. The best part is if either of us has an issue, big or small, we can tell each other. You don't need to sugar coat it."

A New Zealand Olympic Committee directive has allowed New Zealand to enter three players in each of the singles events.

So Cambridge's King, who has drawn a qualifier first up, will have Bay of Plenty's Amanda Landers-Murphy and Canterbury's Megan Craig for company; Knight, ranked 13th, Grayson ranked 12th, and Canterbury's Paul Coll are the men's trio.

The singles event starts on Thursday with doubles beginning next Tuesday.