CHENNAI, Dec 12: England came from behind to defeat Australia 2-1 to capture their second successive World Men’s Team squash championship title here on Wednesday.

This was England’s sixth title after wins in 1976, 1979, 1995, 1997 and 2005.

England were on the back foot after Nick Mathew lost to Australia’s number one player David Palmer 9-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-2, 4-11, but James Willstrop levelled the final defeating Stewart Boswell 11-8, 11-7, 11-10 (2-0).

That left it all down to Peter Barker who came good for the defending champions with a 11-6, 11-3, 11-8 win over Cameron Pilley.

England coach David Pearson was all praise for his players, saying: “I am really elated on having defended the title.

“James [Willstrop] and Peter [Barker] played to par and were able to weave excellent wins. Team game is always edgy and all is good when it ends well.”

It was looking encouraging for Australia after Palmer’s 3-2 win over Mathew, who vented his frustration by throwing his racket against the glass front, but a totally composed display from Willstrop put England back in business with the fourth-ranked Barker providing the coup de grace.—AFP