Squash: Aussies win while England clinch bronze

While Australia won the title for a record seventh time, England beat an injury-hit Scotland 3-0 to retain the bronze medal at the world team championships in Melbourne today.

Scotland’s world number nine Martin Heath had to pull out with a foot injury and that left an easy task for England, although Mark Chaloner did come close to dropping the top tie to John White.

White, the Australian-born Scottish champion, had three match balls at 8-7 in the third before losing 3-9, 2-9, 10-8, 9-7, 9-2.

Chris Walker gave England a winning start 9-3, 5-9, 9-2, 9-6 and Chaloner’s comeback victory clinched the winning point. In the dead rubber, Lee Beechill beat Peter O’Hara 9-0, 9-1.

In the ninth place play-off Wales, the number two seeds and beaten finalist two years ago, ended a disappointing championship on a better note with a 2-1 win over Ireland.

British Open Champion David Palmer clinched the point for Australia that secured a whitewash win over defending champions Egypt 3-0.

Paul Price had given the top-seeded hosts a winning lead with a 9-2, 10-9, 9-3 win over Omar El Borolossy in the second string rubber, before Palmer clinched the win with an 8-10, 9-1, 9-0, 10-8 triumph over Karim Darwish.

‘‘It’s a dream come true to win the championship for Australia at my first attempt, especially here in Melbourne,’’ said Palmer.

‘‘And I now think that we have a squad of players that could dominate the game for years to come.’’

Stewart Boswell, who won the dead rubber 9-0, 9-0 against Mohammed Abbas, and John Williams were the other members of the winning team.