MANCHESTER: World number one Nicol David has criticised proposals made to the World Squash Federation which would impose a professional scoring system upon the whole sport, and may be agreed here on Sunday week.

The WSF is said to be considering making everyone play with the point-a-rally 11-up scoring used by the two pro tours, believing it would make squash easier to understand and establish unity for its Olympic bid.

But David — now a Datuk, a rare and highly prestigious title bestowed upon outstanding Malaysian citizens — believes it would be a mistake to abandon the traditional hand in hand-out scoring used for more than 80 years.

Asked if there was a risk of such a change producing very short matches, David replied: “Yes, definitely. Normal scoring would be so much better for the juniors and grass roots.“The game is all about how to come back when you are down. It’s never over till it’s over: the essence of the normal scoring.

“But with American (point a rally) scoring you will get less fight backs. That would be such a shame and I really hope it doesn’t go that way,” she explained. David, who is a strong favourite to regain the title at next week’s World Open in Manchester after topping the rankings for 26 consecutive months, also has doubts about the effects of the point-a-rally scoring upon the women’s professional game.

The new system was only adopted by the WISPA Tour in July, copying the PSA (men’s) tour, and will be used for the first time in a world championship here. “It’s a big change,” David said. “Having established women’s squash at such a good level with the normal scoring, and changing it to American scoring, it’s a bit difficult for most girls to have to adapt straight away.