Egyptian brothers Mohamed and Marwan ElShorbagy, who have both been ranked in the World’s top three, go head-to-head in a Wales v St George squash clash this evening.
Mohamed, the former World number one who has slipped one place to second behind compatriot Ali Farag, plays for St George’s, who are at home against Marwan’s Welsh Wizards.
The brothers are from Alexandria and Marwan makes his second appearance for the Wizards.
An ex-World number three, Marwan, currently at 10 after missing the first half of the season, is keen to make his mark against Surrey club St George’s.
“That’s going to be a special first string match,” said Marwan’s Wizards’ team-mate Peter Creed, who won the Welsh National title for a ninth time on Sunday.
Marwan, aged 25, played for Welsh Wizards against Tradition@RAC at home, missing out in a closely fought clash with New Zealand’s Paul Coll, and is fired up to take on his older brother.
“I loved playing for Wizards in Cardiff,” said Marwan. “It was a sell-out attendance and the atmosphere was remarkable.
“Everybody made me feel welcome and it was disappointing that I didn’t win for the team.
“I will do everything possible to win for the Wizards against St George’s. We have a team capable of coming out on top and we will work hard for each other.”
Marwan plays at first string for Wizards, while Spain’s Edmon Lopez is at number two. Caerphilly-born Creed and Cardiff’s Elliott Morris Devred complete the men’s line-up for Wizards, while Ciara Richards makes her PSL debut in the women’s match.
Teenager Richards, an 18-year-old from Aberdare, faces a daunting task against New Zealand’s World number five Joelle King.
Tesni Evans is the regular women’s player for Wizards, but the Rhyl-based World number 10 is unavailable.
Team manager David Evans also has Milou van der Heijden (Holland) and Grace Gear (England) in the Welsh squad, but talented young player Richards has been given the nod.
Younger brother Emyr Evans was due to play for Wizards, but has a hip injury sustained during the Welsh nationals and Cardiff’s Elliott Morris Devred has stepped in.
Premier Squash League fixtures on Tuesday, March 19
St George’s v Welsh Wizards
Mohamed ElShorbagy v Marwan ElShorbagy
Tom Richards v Edmon Lopez
Borja Golan v Peter CreedRobbie Temple v Elliott Morris Devred
Joelle King v Ciara Richards
Team Pontefract v WarKens
Saurav Ghosal v Iker Pajares
James Willstrop v Mahesh Mangaonkar
Chris Simpson v Daniel Mekbib
Patrick Rooney v Mark FullerLaura Massaro v Sarah-Jane Perry
Nottingham v Birmingham
Nick Matthew v Joel Makin
Declan James v Jan vd Herrewegen
Richie Fallows v Chris Hall
Lewis Walters v Joshua Owen
Hana Ramadan v Millie Tomlinson
Chichester v Coolhurst
Olli Pett v Max Lee
Tim Vail v Greg Lobban
Miles Jenkins v Nathan Lake
Kyle Finch v Ammar Altamimi
Ali Thomson v Katie Malliff
Friday, March 22
NewcastleUni/Northumberland Club v UWE/Elite Squash Bristol
Alan Clyne v Tom Ford
Owain Taylor v David Baillargeon
Danny Hockburn v James Peach
Liam Gutcher v Luke Bishop
Eve Driver v Lily Taylor
Bexley v Tradition@RAC
Mohamed Abouelghar v Paul Coll
Josh Masters v Daryl Selby
Olli Tuominen v George Parker
Rui Soares v Ben Coleman
Gina Kennendy v Alison Waters
