England's two leading world-ranked squash players Jenny Duncalf and Alison Waters are likely to contest the women's final for the fourth time in five years in next month's British National Squash Championships in Manchester, where the 2011 event will take place at the National Squash Centre from 6-13 February.
Jenny Duncalf, the world No2 from Harrogate in Yorkshire, won the title for the second time two years ago – but Londoner Waters, ranked just one place lower in the world list, struck back to win her second national crown 12 months ago.
The country's premier domestic championships will be making their 15th successive appearance in Manchester – and will be celebrating their ninth year at the Sportcity venue which hosted the squash action in the 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Duncalf and Waters lead a world-class field in the women's event – which also features their England team-mates Laura Massaro (Lancs), Tania Bailey (Lincs) and Sarah Kippax (Cheshire).
Massaro, the world No10, from Preston, will be looking to improve on her runner-up finish in 2008, while 2006 champion Bailey, the former world No4 from Stamford, will be marking her 12th appearance in the championship.
But there will be a major bid by Madeline Perry to become the first Irish winner in the 36-year history of the championship. The world No6 from Banbridge, near Belfast, recently won her 12th Irish national title - but will be hoping to make her mark in Manchester this year after semi-final finishes for the past two years.