Squash: Parke reaches a high point

SIMON PARKE produced a determined display yesterday to overcome Juha Raumolin, the world junior champion, and help England to a victory that made virtually sure of a semi-final place in the World Team Championships, writes Richard Eaton from Karachi.

Parke, the world junior champion himself three years ago, came from 3-5 down to win a long and vital third game, and his 3-9, 9-6, 9-7, 9-2 success clinched the winning lead in the 3-0 triumph over Finland.

Finland need to beat the Netherlands today to qualify, but England will only fail to win the group if an unexpected defeat against Sweden brings about a three-way split. England should play either Australia, the title-holders, or Pakistan, the favourites, whose World Open finalist, Jahangir Khan, did after all turn out at No 2 in a 3-0 win over New Zealand. It had been Jahangir's reluctance to do that - after an England protest about the Pakistani order - and the ensuing row which led to Egypt claiming the match because Pakistan were not ready to play.

The World Squash Federation rejected Egypt's appeal with an explanation that smacked of political expediency. 'It was the fault of the championship director not to have told the Pakistani players to go on court and of me in not reminding him,' Bob Finch, the WSF panel chairman, said.