ESSEX County Bowls Club star Ed Morris has received his first ever call up for the World Championships.

Morriss was crowned national singles champion in both 2019 and 2022.

And he is delighted to be have received international recognition just months after missing out on a place in the squad for the Commonwealth Games.

“It feels great to be selected for my first world-level event, especially after so narrowly missing out on a place in the Commonwealth Games last year,” said Morris.

“I got down to the last six, where five were selected and sadly I was the one to miss out.

“But I responded by regaining the national singles title at the end of the 2022 season and that perhaps helped me to get selected this time round.”

And he cannot wait to head out to Australia for two championships, the first of which gets underway in August.

“The World Championships run directly on to the World Champion of Champions singles where each country sends their national singles champion to play off against each other,” said Morris.

“I am able to compete in two world events back to back, both in Gold Coast, Australia.

“I will be over there for a full month and adapting quickly to their conditions will be vital if I am to see any success.

“It is one of the toughest challenges in bowls, but one I am ready to face and can’t wait to get out there in August.”

The England team will feature a full contingent of 18 players across men’s, women’s and para events.

The open men’s and open women’s teams have now been confirmed and the para team will be finalised following final trials on Saturday May 13.

Leading the England bid in Australia will be seven members of their successful Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games squad including gold medallists Nick Brett, Louis Ridout and Jamie-Lea Marshall.

Sam Tolchard will be seeking further glory on his return to the Southern Hemisphere after his victory in the World Champion of Champions late last year, while the current WBT World Singles Champion Jamie Walker will aim for another World Bowls title after claiming the triples in 2016.

Bowls England Performance Director Mo Monkton said: “The World Championships is a fantastic competition for our sport and the Gold Coast will provide a fabulous setting.

“The selected players have the experience, compatibility, technical ability and winning mentality to perform under the conditions that they are likely to face in Australia.

“I have every confidence in this team of players and look forward to sharing the experience with them as we compete against the rest of the world in what will be a hugely competitive event.

“The event will also provide players and management with a great opportunity to put in place the building blocks for the 2026 Commonwealth Games to be staged in Australia.”