Sherriff: Playing Foster is the ‘ultimate challenge’
Set your reminders… tomorrow (Monday, January 15), 10 am – it’s the match everyone is talking about.
Two of the best bowlers in the world will go head-to-head on the portable rink at in World Indoor Bowls Championships first round at Potters Resort, Hopton-on-Sea.
It’s one of the highlights of the tournament’s opening matches and promises to be a thrilling encounter – showstopping final stuff even.
Five times World Indoor Bowls Championship singles winner Paul Foster MBE, currently number one ranked on the World Bowls Tour’s Top 16, takes on Australia’s Aron Sherriff, holder of the World Bowls Indoor Championship men’s singles title and a double gold medallist at the World Bowls Championship on the Gold Coast.
Both are already legends of our sport and record-breakers holding stellar CVs, but in brief for current achievements, Foster, 50, is the second most prolific winner of the World Indoor Championship singles title, behind six-times winner, pairs partner and close friend Alex Marshall MBE. He has five wins from seven final appearances (1998, 2001, 2005, 2011 and 2017).
In addition, Foster has won another eight world indoor titles, bringing his career record to 13.
He has won the pairs on five occasions, once with Hugh Duff in 2002 and four times with Alex Marshall (2011, 2012, 2013, and 2019) and the mixed pairs title with Laura Thomas in 2013 and 2014 and with Alison Merrien MBE in 2022.
Jackaroo Sherriff, 38, who also won the mixed pairs when the World Bowls and International Indoor Bowls Council event was staged at Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club in 2023 is also the Australia Open men’s singles holder – a title he has won five times.
Both hold Commonwealth, world and national titles only dreams are made of.
Foster and Sherriff most recently played against each other in the men’s triples and fours finals at the World Bowls Championships on the Gold Coast when Australia won gold and Scotland silver in both.
We spoke exclusively to Sherriff ahead of his highly-anticipated Potters Resorts appearance.
BI: How does it feel to have a place in the World Indoor Bowls Championships?
AS: It’s amazing! It’s something I’ve always wanted to have a crack at but with a young family and a hectic schedule in Australia unfortunately it’s something I have not been able to qualify for.
BI: What are you most looking forward to at Potters?
AS: I have been over for the pairs in the early 2000s and had an awesome time so really looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of Potters again, catching up with old mates and hopefully having some success.
BI: Tell us about your previous appearance?
AS: I played in the pairs with Tony Laguzza, but unfortunately, we didn’t have much success.
BI: How are you preparing for playing on the portable rink?
AS: It’s not really something I can replicate in Australia so I will try and make the most of the time I have there before my first round.
BI: What are your thoughts on playing Paul Foster?
AS: Paul is a great friend of mine and I have admired his success at Potters for some time so to play against him in round one is the ultimate challenge which I am looking forward to.
I’ve played Paul a lot in team events on the international stage, but can’t recall playing him in singles before.
BI: How many times have you played in the Northern Hemisphere?
AS: I’ve spent a little time over there, but not a huge amount of time. I think it’s more about me mentally preparing and learning by watching the guys that have been playing there for years.
BI: Will you have any family or friends travelling over to support you?
AS: I have a couple of mates from Broadbeach travelling with me which is awesome. We will be spending a few days in London before heading to Potters which they are really looking forward to as well. Everyone else will be watching on the live streaming.
BI: What’s been your highlights of 2023?
AS: It’s hard to go past the results the Australian team achieved at the World Championships. It really was a fantastic experience to be part of such an amazing squad whose success was simply awesome.
BI: What are your bowls aims in 2024?
AS: After returning from the UK, the calendar is looking a little quiet so I’m most looking forward to spending time at home with my family and just setting myself for the majors.
Every match is being streamed live on the World Bowls Tour’s Facebook page and YouTube channel at no cost. Important: Please be mindful of fraudulent activity on social media, particularly during the World Indoor Championships. The streaming is available free-of-charge and you should not make any payment or share personal data with anyone promoting live streaming links. Please only watch the live coverage via the official sources.
From tomorrow (Monday 15th) to Sunday, January 21, coverage will be available through BBC on BBC 2 and Red Button.
The full daily schedule and draws can be found at the following links:
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