Peter Nicol Celebrates 60th Month As World No1

England's Peter Nicol celebrates his 60th month as world No1, according to the new September Dunlop PSA Men's World Squash Rankings, announced today by the Professional Squash Association.

The Scottish-born 31-year-old first topped the world rankings in February 1998 and, following a remarkably consistent PSA Tour run, has not slipped out of the top three over the six-year period. Since going full-time in 1992, Nicol has reached 66 PSA finals and claimed 48 titles - and this week began his bid to win a fourth title in five years in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open.

Nicol maintains his lead over compatriot Lee Beachill - winner of last month's Mamut English Open - at two, France's Thierry Lincou at three, and Australian David Palmer at four.

Egypt's world champion Amr Shabana moves to a career-best-equalling fifth place, ahead of Canada's Jonathon Power at six.

England's former world junior champion James Willstrop, the 21-year-old from Pontefract, moves up one place to a career-high world No12 after reaching the English Open semi-finals.

Fellow Yorkshireman Simon Parke, who reached the final of the English Open as a qualifier, is rewarded for his success by an eleven-place rise to 24 in the new list.

Australians Dan Jenson and Paul Price both return to the top twenty at 20. For Jenson, who has been plagued with injury since reaching a career-high world No5 in January 1999, it marks his return to the top twenty after a four-year absence.

1 [1] Peter Nicol ENG
2 [2] Lee Beachill ENG
3 [3] Thierry Lincou FRA
4 [4] David Palmer AUS
5 [7] Amr Shabana EGY
6 [6] Jonathon Power CAN
7 [5] John White SCO
8 [8] Nick Matthew ENG
9 [9] Karim Darwish EGY
10 [11] Joseph Kneipp AUS
11 [10] Gregory Gaultier FRA
12 [13] James Willstrop ENG
13 [12] Anthony Ricketts AUS
14 [14] Omar Elborolossy EGY
15 [15] Mohammed Abbas EGY
16 [16] Adrian Grant ENG
17 [17] Graham Ryding CAN
18 [19] Mark Chaloner ENG
19 [18] Renan Lavigne FRA
20= [21] Paul Price AUS
20= [21] Dan Jenson AUS