Gough Replaces Ong Beng Hee In English Open

Malaysian No1 Ong Beng Hee has been forced to withdraw from this week's Mamut English Open, hosted by Sheffield City Council, as the result of a back injury.

The 24-year-old from Kuala Lumpur was due to play in his first PSA Tour event since winning his third successive Asian Championship title in June. His place in the main draw will be taken by Welsh No1 Alex Gough, who faces fourth seed and local hero Nick Matthew.

England's world No1 Peter Nicol, whose company Eventis Sports Marketing is staging the event, is top seed in the $45,000 tournament which takes place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, from 11-15 August.

British Minister for Sport Richard Caborn will be meeting Nicol and fellow competitors at the Crucible Theatre tomorrow on the eve of his departure to the Olympic Games in Athens.

The revised first round draw is:
[1] Peter Nicol (ENG) v Olli Tuominen (FIN)
[5] Anthony Ricketts (AUS) v Qualifier
[4] Nick Matthew (ENG) v Alex Gough (WAL)
[8] Mark Chaloner (ENG) v Qualifier
[6] James Willstrop (ENG) v Qualifier
[3] John White (SCO) v Ben Garner (ENG)
[7] Adrian Grant (ENG) v Qualifier
[2] Lee Beachill (ENG) v Mansoor Zaman (PAK)