Squash: Joyce looks to bag world title

New Zealand's world squash No 1 Leilani Joyce is on the verge of completing her most successful year in the sport - by adding the elusive world crown to the British Open she defended last month.

Joyce is the top seed for the women's world championships that start in Edinburgh from Monday.

The title has been out of reach previously, but her chances have been boosted this year, not only by her impressive form, but also the defection through injury of Cassie Campion, former world No 1.

Campion, at times the New Zealander's nemesis on the tour this year, pulled out with a back injury.

If Joyce can add the world title to her burgeoning trophy cabinet, then just one goal remains - when New Zealand this month try to win the world teams championship for the first time across the border in Sheffield.

The team of Joyce, Sarah Cook and Shelley Kitchen are a realistic chance with the defection of Campion from the English trio and the withdrawal of Auckland-based Australian Carol Owens, the world No 2.

Kitchen is ranked 22 while Cook, the reigning New Zealand champion, is unranked because she does not play on the world circuit.

Squash New Zealand chairman Nevin Barbour believes the women have their best chance to take the title since the days of Dame Susan Devoy, but is wary of the English.

Despite losing Campion, the England team can still call on world No 3 Linda Charman, Sue Wright (11), Tania Bailey (6) and Stephanie Brind (13).

New Zealand were fourth when the team championships were last held in 1998. They were runners-up in 1985 and 1992.

The New Zealanders are seeded third behind England and defending champions Australia, who have not lost since 1990 when they went down to England in Sydney.

The Australians will be led by three-times World Open champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald, ranked No 5 in the world.

Seeds for the teams event:

England 1, Australia 2, New Zealand 3, Egypt 4, Netherlands 5, Scotland 6, South Africa 7, Germany 8, Canada 9, France 10, Malaysia 11, Denmark 12.

- NZPA