WHY SELECTORS SNUBBED SHERRIFF
GAMES SHOCK IN AUSSIE BOWLS LINE-UP
HE MAY be an event rookie but Victorian Aaron Wilson’s X-factor has landed him the men’s singles role for Australia at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April.
In what was a close call, 26-year-old Wilson will play singles in what is seen in some quarters as a contentious call ahead of newly adopted Gold Coaster Aron Sherriff.
Australian coach and selector Steve Glasson conceded the men’s singles call was a 50-50 one despite Wilson heading into his Commonwealth Games debut.
Karen Murphy, on the other hand, will be making a record fifth appearance at the Games.
Glasson said the balance
of the Australian team across singles, pairs, triples and fours played heavily in the minds of selectors.
“Aaron and Aron are both great singles players in their own right,” Glasson said.
“We probably felt the overall performance will work better this way with Aron Sherriff, being as gifted as he is and his ability on the back end of the rink, a better option.”
“I think Aaron provided us an opportunity to do it a bit different,” Glasson said.
“He’s a bit of a freaky player with an X-factor and him having four bowls (in singles) will help.”
Wilson will be with his world pairs championship partner Brett Wilkie, from Club Helensvale.
Wilkie is one of four players from Helensvale in the Australian side for the Games bowls, at Broadbeach.
Sherriff, Nathan Rice and Kelsey Cottrell will partner Murphy in the women’s pairs.