Sqyuash: Le Moignan speaks out: Australia humble England in world team final

MARTINE LE MOIGNAN, frustratingly sidelined in the last tournament of her career as her England colleagues experienced a humiliating defeat in Saturday's world team final here, spoke out against the squad's selection policy after the 3-0 defeat to Australia.

The former world champion from Guernsey had been happy to repair the long- standing rift with Alex Cowie, the England manager, just before the world championships began, but still felt moved to criticism after Suzanne Horner, Sue Wright and Cassie Jackman had all suffered straight-games defeats. 'It was silly to tell us before the team event began that I would only play three matches,' she said.

Le Moignan had little to do in the group matches, and almost certainly lost her place for the semi-finals and finals after her surprise defeat in the World Open to Linda Charman. 'It meant there was no competition for places and didn't make our players feel they had to be on their toes,' she added.

The performances of Wright and Jackman were particularly disappointing.

Wright lost the match which provided Australia with their 2-0 winning lead, going down 9-1, 9-5, 9-6 to Liz Irving.

However, Cowie was generous with her praise for the retiring Le Moignan in her speech at the championships dinner.

'The bad patch between Martine and I was nowhere near as bad as everyone made out,' the manager claimed. 'Her contribution to the game has been enormous. She has been an inspiration.'

Results, Sporting Digest, page 33