England Reach World Championships Final In Pakistan

Yorkshire's Nick Matthew clinched victory over Canada in today's semi-finals of the Men's World Team Championships in Islamabad, Pakistan, to put England into the final of the event for the first time since 1997.

Former world number one Peter Nicol put England ahead with a commanding 9-4 9-2 9-6 victory over the Canadian number two Graham Ryding in the opening rubber.

But James Willstrop, the new world number two, was unable to repeat the win he achieved over former world champion Jonathon Power in last week's World Open in Hong Kong,

Playing in his first world championships as the England No1, the 22-year-old from Pontefract went down 3-9 7-9 4-9 to Power as fifth seeds Canada levelled the tie against the event favourites.

Matthew, the world No10 from Sheffield, raced to a 5-0 lead in the opening game of the decider against Shahier Razik, but the Canadian No3 slowed the game down and drew level at 8-8 before the Englishman reclaimed the upper hand to win the game.

Matthew maintained his authority from the beginning of the second game and soon wrapped up a 10-8 9-2 9-0 victory to confirm England's place in the final.

"We were extremely disappointed to lose so closely at this stage two years ago to France, so it is especially good to get to the final this year after this eight-year gap," said England coach Paul Carter.

"The squad has been working well together - we've been maintaining a low profile here as we've been getting on with business.

"And we're ready for whoever we come up against in tomorrow's final," added Carter.

England will play the winners of the other semi-final between 1999 champions Egypt, the second seeds, and third seeds France.