Parke Recalled In All-Yorkshire England European Championships' Squad

Former world No3 Simon Parke has earned a recall into an all-Yorkshire men's England squad for the European Team Championships in the Netherlands later this month.

Fellow Yorkshire player Jenny Tranfield (who celebrated her 30th birthday on 31st March) is making a comeback in the women's squad, which was also announced today by England Squash National Coach David Pearson.

The full team line-ups are - men: Lee Beachill (Yorks), Peter Nicol (Yorks), James Willstrop (Yorks), Nick Matthew (Yorks) and Simon Parke (Yorks); and women: Linda Elriani (Sussex), Vicky Botwright (Lancs), Jenny Tranfield (Yorks) and Jenny Duncalf (Yorks).

England will defend both the men's and women's titles - the men's team having reigned supreme since 1993, with victories over France in the last five finals, whilst England's women claimed their 27th successive title last year in France, unbeaten every year since the inaugural championship in 1978.

"We feel we have selected our strongest possible squads for both events," said Pearson. "The top four men virtually picked themselves, but it was Simon's vast experience that earned his recall - we need a strong option at fourth string in the team and know that he will always be a major threat at that position for us.

"If we meet France again in the men's final, we think we've got the best line-up to throw at them - and if it's Netherlands again in the women's final, we know it will be tough, but we will be ready," added Pearson.

Simon Parke, the 32-year-old world No22, made his England debut in 1989 - since when he has earned 56 caps, sharing with former team-mate Del Harris the honour of being the fourth most-capped Englishman. Struck down with testicular cancer in 1996, the former British National champion made a remarkable recovery to achieve a career-high world No3 ranking in October 2000 after winning the US Open. He last represented England in the European Championships in his home town of Nottingham two years ago.

"It's fantastic to be picked to play for England again. It's always an honour to play for your country and I was really hoping for a chance to get back into the squad," said the former England No1. "I'm still really enjoying my squash even though I realise that I've only got a few years left in the game now - but I am determined to raise my game again and get back into the world's top 16 and then the top ten."

Linda Elriani (the former Miss Charman) is also enjoying a renewed enthusiasm for the sport. The 33-year-old world No6 from Eastbourne began the year by winning two titles on the WISPA World Tour in the USA, then brushed aside all opposition in the British Championships in Manchester in February to claim the National title for the first time in her 17th appearance in the event! With 57 caps to her credit, Elriani is the fifth most-capped woman in England, with the chance of moving up to fourth place in Amsterdam.

World Ranking Home town Age Caps

Lee Beachill 3 Pontefract 27 24
Peter Nicol 4 London 31 11
James Willstrop 8 Pontefract 21 16
Nick Matthew 9 Sheffield 24 8
Simon Parke 22 Nottingham 32 56

Linda Elriani 6 Eastbourne 33 57
Vicky Botwright 7 Manchester 27 4
Jenny Tranfield 8 Milton Keynes 30 3
Jenny Duncalf 10 Harrogate 22 3