Squash: Kiwi women seeded fifth for world champs

Former world No 6 Shelley Kitchen returns to the New Zealand squad. Photo / APN

New Zealand are seeded fifth for the world women's teams squash championships, to be held in Palmerston North from November 29.

England, armed with three players - Jenny Duncalf, Alison Waters and Laura Massaro - in the world's top 10, are top seeds, with Australia second, led by world No 7 Kasey Brown, and defending champions Egypt third.

Malaysia, who have the world's best player, Nicol David, are fourth and New Zealand, with Commonwealth Games doubles champions Jaclyn Hawkes and Joelle King leading their bid, are fifth.

Former world No 6 Shelley Kitchen is in the squad, returning to competition after taking time out to give birth to her daughter in February. Tamsyn Leevey, silver medallist in the women's pairs in Melbourne's Games in 2006, rounds out the team.

New Zealand will be in pool D with Malaysia their strongest rivals, with Canada and Hong Kong.