Exciting times for squash

By Matthew Davis
BBC News Online

Games will be shorter - and rallies more intense

The world's best squash players are using a new scoring system this week in a move aimed at making the game more exciting.

The number of points needed to win a game has been cut by almost a third - from 15 to 11 - akin to a football match being hacked back to 60 minutes, or the men's final at Wimbledon being played as the best-of-three-sets.

It's the latest tactic in the struggle to develop by a sport that has often been seen as more fun to play than to watch.

Critics say the change has been rushed in without proper consultation and will only confuse the public.

But many players and officials believe it is one of the most exciting times to be involved in the sport and that the latest change to the 150-year-old game will be a welcome boost.

Every point becomes crucial so you can't hold back, you have to go for it early on Peter Nicol

Current world number one Peter Nicol says the new regime will undoubtedly raise the pace of a sport where the ball can travel at more than 170mph.

"It's a bit of a myth that it will be easier on the players' bodies," said Nicol. "It's going to make the game even quicker - more intense to play."

Shorter games will also mean more key points and, it is hoped, enable matches to better fit in with television schedules.

Nicol added: "It is going to create more energy in the game, you'll need to be playing full pace from the start - every point becomes crucial so you can't hold back, you have to go for it early on.

Barrington's dedication to fitness dragged the game into the pro era

The new rules are being used at the Professional Squash Association's Super Series finals in London this week, an event for the world's top eight players.

Matches are the best-of-five-games played up to 11 points. In the event of a game reaching 10-all, the first player to win two straight points wins.

Unlike the amateur game where only the sever can win a point, professional matches have been scored on a point-per-rally basis for 16 years, partly in a bid to reduce the duration of matches which were lasting well over two hours.

The finals also see the return of the PSA's live internet service, streaming matches free of charge around the world.

PSA chief executive Gawain Briars describes the tournament as a "watershed moment" for the sport, played in 135 countries on some 47,000 courts.

New PSA scoring system Best-of-five games to 11 points, point-a-rally scoring Club players play first to nine, only server wins a point Pro games will be shorter, faster, better for TV More crucial points, new tactics needed May be better for players longevity Aim is to attract more interest in the game

"If the professional game is more exciting to watch, then more people will become involved in the game and our chances of Olympic entry may be enhanced," Briars said.

"The feedback I have received from top players has been most encouraging, and that before a single ball in competition has been struck under the new system."

If successful, the new scoring will be used for all PSA tour events.

Fuller television coverage remains elusive for the sport, however.

Squash's most prestigious tournament, the British Open, has only ever been carried live once before - although it is returning to the BBC in a highlights package this November.

But in the main, pundits say the networks in Britain have shown no interest at all in covering squash and Sky Sports only broadcasts the game when tapes of major events are given to it free of charge.

Nevertheless, promotion of the sport is getting better, television production is improving and a growing number of pros are investing in the game.

Nicol has set up the Eventis Group which has developed the English Open and the Canary Wharf Classic. Canadian star Jonathon Power is also staying in squash, with his clothing and shoe company, JP Sports.

Former Top 10 player Martin Heath, writing in Squash Magazine, says the game is at "one of the most exciting times in its history".

He adds: "They [retiring pros] are not going into old colonial clubs and getting a coaching tenure but are involved in the promotional and commercial sides of the game.

"They obviously believe that squash will grow, and why shouldn't they?"

The Brit Insurance Super Series Finals take place at Broadgate Arena in London, from 10-14 May.