Ashley Jackson's indoor World Cup lies in ruins
ASHLEY JACKSON, England’s premier player, is out of the indoor World Cup.
Jackson withdrew ahead of today’s announcement of the squad bound for Poznan, Poland, after aggravating a groin injury.
He also misses the trip to Wembley Arena this Sunday for East Grinstead’s defence of the national club Super Sixes championship, a competition he had hoped to win three times in succession.
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England captain Barry Middleton goes into the tournament, from February 8-13, with no indoor caps.
Nevertheless, coach Andy Halliday will be pinning his hopes on him to inspire the squad, along with three other uncapped indoor players in Surbiton’s James Tindall, Wimbledon’s Rob Moore and Reading’s Simon Mantell. Outdoors, the players have more than 600 caps between them.
One thing is certain, goalkeepers Nick Brothers, of Reading, and Beeston’s George Pinner will be needed when they come up against their group opponents – the Czech Republic, Russia, USA, Iran and Austria. The other pool contains Australia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Poland and Namibia.
It is only the third indoor world cup and England’s first foray.
Moore secured his place during a warm-up tournament at the weekend – despite England’s disappointing showing.
Although they beat Russia 8-5, England lost 4-3 to the Czechs, 5-3 to Poland and 7-5 to club side Leipzig, who also defeated them 6-4 in the bronze medal match.
Eight of the England squad will still be at Wembley Arena.
East Grinstead play Old Loughtonians first, with Reading up against Beeston in the semi-finals.
The women’s final is between Bowdon Hightown and Reading.
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