Squash: Pair eager for outing in Oz

New Zealand's squash doubles player Jackie Hawkes says a tournament in Melbourne will give the team valuable international experience after last year's World Doubles Championships were cancelled following the Mumbai terrorist attacks in November.

"We were supposed to go at the end of last year," said Hawkes. "But the terrorist attack ended that."

Hawkes and partner Shelley Kitchen are New Zealand's No 1-ranked pair. They are part of a six-strong team going to the Australian Open Doubles.

She said the hosts would be the toughest opponents. "The Aussies play a lot of doubles. They're very good.

"After this, we only have two more opportunities for international competition before the Commonwealth Games in October next year."

Doubles squash uses a wider court than the singles game.

Seven of the world's top 10-ranked women's squash players yesterday confirmed their entry for the New Zealand Open at Mt Maunganui next month. The $72,700 tournament, revived after an absence of 14 years, will be headed by current world No 2 Natalie Grainger, of the United States.

The championship runs from August 9-16.