Australia launches a global assault

World number two Leif Selby will lead an all out global assault tomorrow when he lines up in the opening round of the Hong Kong Classic.

The Australian superstar, who tragically lost last year’s final to England’s Mark Walton after capturing four successive singles titles including the World Champion of Champions in Scotland, will be hell bent on redemption, but his national teammates will also be eying glory in New Zealand.

With Selby lining up at the Hong Kong Classic alongside Mick Cronin, Kelsey Cottrell and Julie Keegan, Australia’s powers will be divided, with some of the nation’s finest players including world number five Karen Murphy across the ditch attempting to qualify for the New Zealand Open.

Having captured last year’s women’s pairs title alongside Scottish international Kay Moran, Murphy has automatic entry to defend her title, but must still qualify for the singles and triples.

Joining her at the fifth and final Bowls Australia grand prix for the year is Kelli Wray, Anne Johns, Sam Shannahan, Penny Landherr, Sharyn Renshaw, Lee Schraner and Gerard Beath.

In Hong Kong, however, all eyes will be on Selby and world number one Safuan Said, who have been placed in the same side of the draw and face a semi-final showdown should they advance to the final four.

During their only encounter this year, Selby swept past Said in the final at the World Cup in Warilla to account for the Malaysian hero, but little separates either player.

During tomorrow morning’s opening round, Selby is drawn to meet local hope BL Cheung, while Cronin will face Ronnie Yung.

In the women’s draw, Cottrell, the world number three, will meet Candy Cheng, while Keegan clashes with May Lee before teaming up with the 19-year-old next week to contest the pairs.

Click here to see the draw from the Hong Kong Classic.

In the New Zealand Open, the Australian contigent will also include Silver Tier members Matt Miles, Neville Rodda and Natasha Van Eldik, who came through qualifying yesterday unscathed.

Dual world champion Gary Lawson also booked his way into the main draw of the men’s singles.

While Lawson’s appearance in the main field is sure to be a talking point, with the former Australian Open pairs champion due to front a New Zealand judicial hearing next month, the conditions in Auckland are sure to have a large say in determining the outcomes.

According to Australian squad member Anne Johns, fresh off capturing her second grand prix title at the Janome NSW Open last month, the international raiders will need to be at the top of their game to come away with the silverware.

"It’s like being back in Scotland over here (at the moment) it’s freezing," Johns said.

"It’s the first time playing pairs with Penny (Landherr), so it will be whole new experience, but the greens are so different to Australia that it will be tough going.

"Hopefully we rise to the challenge."

Qualifying continues at the New Zealand Open today before the main draw commences on Monday.

Click here to learn more about the 2009 New Zealand Open including qualifying results.

Caption: World number two Leif Selby will be looking to go one better at this year’s Hong Kong Classic.