Mixed doubles to begin on Wednesday at Birmingham 2022

Two Australian pairs are set to headline the mixed doubles competition at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games which gets underway on Wednesday 3 August.

Gold Coast 2018 gold medalists, and cousins, Donna Lobban and Cameron Pilley will team up in the green and gold, while flagbearer Rachael Grinham and Zac Alexander will pair for the first time at the Commonwealth Games.

Lobban and Pilley, who come into the competition as 5-8 seeds, will begin their gold medal defence against Papua New Guinea’s Amity Alarcos and Madako Suari on Court 1 at 11:30am (local time)/ 8:30pm (AEST). 

The Papua New Guinea pair is a mixture of youth and experience with Alarcos making her Commonwealth Games at Birmingham in the women’s singles while Suari is at his third Games.

Playing in just their second Commonwealth Games as a mixed doubles pairing, Pilley believes that it will be slightly different this time around, especially not being on home soil.

“Even though we’re defending champions, it’s been four years, it’s slightly different,” he said. 

“This time, not being a high seed, there isn’t this pressure or expectation on us.”

Grinham and Alexander come in as the 9-16 seed, where they’ll face Jade Pitcairn and Jake Kelly of the Cayman Islands on Court 2 at 10:00am (local time)/ 7:00pm (AEST).

Both Australian athletes came away with medals four years ago on the Gold Coast, Alexander won gold in the men’s doubles with David Palmer while Grinham teamed up with Lobban to secure bronze in the women’s doubles. 

The squash competition is being played at the University of Birmingham Squash Centre, with the action live and free on 7plus.

For the full schedule and results from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, click here.