AUSTRALIAN selectors today named the 10-strong Jackaroos contingent charged with the nation’s hopes at the inaugural World Bowls Challenge on 29-30 November at the Moama Bowling Club.
The Jackaroos will host the sport’s newest ‘major’ at the magnificent Moama club, while those unable to watch the superstars live will be able to enjoy the television coverage on Fox Sports Australia and Kayo Sports.
Jackaroo stalwarts Aron Sherriff, Aaron Teys, Barrie Lester, Natasha Scott, Kelsey Cottrell and Rebecca Van Asch are the six players retained from the recent 2019 Asia Pacific Championships campaign, to be complemented by the New South Welsh quartet of Ellen Ryan, Karen Murphy, Corey Wedlock and Aaron Wilson.
The Aussies will face the world’s Scottish stars Alex Marshall and Darren Burnett; Kiwis Jo Edwards and Shannon McIlroy; Canadians Kelly McKerihen and Ryan Bester; Ellen Falkner and Katherine Rednall from England; along with South Africa’s Colleen Piketh and red hot Irishman Gary Kelly in the sport’s equivalent to Golf’s Ryder Cup.
The event will deviate from tradition in utilising sets-play and will begin with mixed triples, followed by men’s pairs, women’s pairs, then mixed pairs, and conclude with ten singles matches (five men’s and five women’s) staged across staggered starts.
In coming to their decision, selectors considered a range of factors, including the unique composite format of the event and the covered carpet surface at Moama.