New Zealand team named for World Champs

The New Zealand men's team has been named for June's World Team Squash Championships in France.

The four strong line-up is the same quartet who represented the country in Germany two years ago, led by world number 44 Campbell Grayson.  The New Zealand national champion is a consistent performer against players in the world's top 50 and will be making his fifth appearance at the World Champs in the kiwi team.

Joining Grayson is Martin Knight, another player who has consistently been in the top 50 in the world.  Currently ranked at number 48, Knight is also making his fifth appearance at the World Champs.  The 29-year-old has been hampered by injuries in recent times, but is currently injury free and was in good form at a PSA World Tour event in Malaysia recently.

The other two players in the squad are making their second appearances in the team, after their debuts in Germany in 2011.  Evan Williams is currently ranked 85th in the world, climbing more than 40 places in the past year. Williams has spent the last 12 months competing and training in South America and England, which has resulted in a vast improvement in his experience, knowledge and ability, in turn producing some top draw performances against players in the world's top 50.

Likewise Paul Coll is a young player on the improve.  The youngest member of the team at just 20 years of age, Coll is an exciting prospect for the future having climbed more than 60 places in the past year to be ranked at number 102 in the world.  In the past 12 months he has come close to beating players ranked in the world's top 70 and earlier this year claimed his maiden PSA World Tour title in Australia.  He is currently undefeated both internationally and domestically in 2013.

Former New Zealand representative Kashif Shuja was unavailable for selection.

The World Team Championships will be held in Mulhouse, France from June 9-15.

NZ Team, world ranking (first club, current club in brackets)

Campbell Grayson, 44 (Titirangi, Herne Bay)

Martin Knight, 48 (Kapiti, North Shore)

Evan Williams, 85 (Tawa, Thorndon)

Paul Coll, 102 (Greymouth, Squashways)