Badminton: NZ squad riding crest of wave

New Zealand badminton is riding a crest of a wave but national team manager Grant Stone is loath to make medal predictions for the Commonwealth Games.

The 10-strong squad for Melbourne were announced yesterday, headed by the mixed doubles combination of Daniel Shirley and Sara Runesten Petersen, who claimed bronze at the world championships in August.

The squad, ranked fifth in the Commonwealth, also completed a series clean sweep over Australia, ranked sixth, in the Whyte Trophy this year.

Four squad members played in the 1998 Games at Kuala Lumpur and six in Manchester four years ago.

Stone said any repeat in March of 2002's three medals would require a huge effort.

"I'm not sure we'll exceed them, but we'll certainly like to repeat the feat and any colour would be helpful."