Pearson, Tallent spearhead Aussie world team

SYDNEY: Champion hurdler Sally Pearson and walker Jared Tallent headlined a 48-strong Australian team announced Tuesday for next month’s world athletics championships in London.

The country’s largest world title squad since Seville in 1999 includes 20 debutants from the Olympic Games in Rio last year.

“It ensures that we are likely to see a competitive few months ahead as athletes seek nomination for selection to the Australia Commonwealth Games Team,” Athletics Australia said.

The Commonwealth Games next year are on home soil at the Gold Coast.

Australia won two silvers at the last world championships in Beijing two years ago -- Tallent in the 50km walk and Fabrice Lapierre in the long jump.