The top two female bowlers in the world, Guernsey’s Ali Merrien, left, and New Zealander Val Smith. (Picture by Cara Loach, 0565412)
ALISON MERRIEN has been confirmed as the world’s second best female bowler.
Her victory in the recent WBL indoor World Cup at Warilla earned her 600 ranking points and has lifted her above Malaysian Siti Zalina Ahmed and South African Lorna Tringwell into second spot, 180 behind the world’s top player.
That is New Zealander Val Smith, whom Merrien defeated in Warilla. The Guernseywoman was not surprised to learn of her elevation. ‘They had worked it out before we left [Australia], but it’s still nice to be bumped up a couple of places.’
The chances of toppling Smith in the short term are, however, remote.
Only three events are used for ranking purposes and one of them, the World Bowls event which is primarily a team competition, is held only every four years.
Merrien will defend her indoor title in 2009 but having sensationally lost her island crown to veteran Pauline Leadbeater at the Vale Rec green last summer, she is ineligible to compete at this year’s WBL outdoor event in Warilla at the end of the year.
However, nor is Smith.
‘I don’t believe Val is current New Zealand champion either.’
Other than Merrien, the only other British bowlers to make it into the world top 10 are Ellen Falkner (sixth) and Julie Sanders (eighth). Both are English.
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