By JANE BALL (Squash Mad Correspondent)
England Squash has announced the quartet that will head to the 2022 WSF Women’s World Team Squash Championships in Cairo from December 10-16.
Georgina Kennedy, golden girl at the Commonwealth Games, Jasmine Hutton (world No.26), and Lucy Turmel (ranked 30), will all make their senior world debut alongside World No.8 Sarah-Jane Perry, who will lead out the team.
The quartet, who were crowned European Team champions for the 41st time in May, will combine youth with experience, with 32-year-old Perry making her fourth World Teams appearance.
Seven-time world champions England will be striving to go one better than their 2018 runner-up position and reclaim the title they last won in 2014.
England Squash National Coach David Campion said: “We’re thrilled to field three debutants in our World Teams squad. These girls are young and on the rise and they have shown what they are capable of throughout the year.
“Sarah-Jane provides the much-needed experience within the team and I’ll be looking to Gina, Jazz and Lucy to step up to the task. Despite being a new team, we are still among the favourites for medals, which is exciting.”
England captain Perry added: “The World Teams is always such a special experience and to share it with three debutants this year definitely makes it a memorable one.
“They were exceptional at the European Teams in April and I can’t wait to head to Cairo with them in December. We’re going to give it absolutely everything we’ve got.”
World No.9 Kennedy said: “I’m so excited to pull on the England shirt again and play alongside such a talented squad. Nothing quite beats the feeling of doing your country proud and it’s a huge honour to be selected for this prestigious event.”
The biennial tournament will feature 17 teams with England facing a strong challenge from hosts Egypt, who are sure to select a number of the world’s top 10 players.
Picture courtesy of England Squash