Six stars to watch at World Bowls

A rising star of Australian bowls, the 26-year-old is already in her 11th year of international bowls after debuting as a 15 yearold. She won a bronze medal at her first world champs in Christchurch as a teenager and took gold in the pairs at Adelaide. If she wins in 2016, she could be proclaimed ‘‘Australasia’s’’ champion as Cottrell was born in Auckland.

DARREN BURNETT (SCOTLAND)

An Arbroath policeman, Burnett, 40, has become one of the world’s best male bowlers. He earned a world triples title in 2012 and had a golden year in 2014 winning the Commonwealth Games singles gold medal in front of a partisan home crowd in Glasgow after taking the world indoor singles crown.

RYAN BESTER (CANADA)

A gold medal would be a brilliant birthday present for Bester, who turns 32 during World Bowls. Has had a decade near the top since winning the world pairs title in Scotland in 2004 as a 19-year-old. Was the singles silver medallist at the 2012 world champs and the 2014 Commonwealth Games.world singles bronze medallist in Christchurch in 2008 and NZ pairs champion in 2011.

ARON SHERRIFF (AUSTRALIA)

The New South Welshman, 31, is aiming to become the Australian Jackaroos’ second successive singles world champion after Leif Selby’s 2012 triumph. Sheriff was the Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in 2014 and won a fours gold medal in Adelaide. Christchurch is his happy hunting ground after silver in the singles and bronze in the pairs in 2008.