Strickland: ‘We’ll slay England and win World Cup’

Earl Strickland has promised he and partner Shane Van Boening will win the World Cup of Pool for USA and has warned England A they’ll be at the top of his hit list.
 
Strickland last played in the World Cup of Pool in 2006, also his last competitive appearance in the UK. On that occasion ‘The Pearl’ and his partner Rodney Morris made it to the final where they were defeated by Efren Reyes and Francisco Bustamante as Philippines lifted the trophy.
 
However, Strickland will venture back across the pond this September to represent USA in the World Cup of Pool in Portsmouth, and has warned the other 31 teams that America will be going one better than they did last time he played.
 
“It’s great to be back playing in the World Cup of Pool representing USA and great to be teamed up with partner Shane Van Boening,” said Strickland.
 
“My last appearance was in 2006 when I was teamed up with Rodney Morris and we reached the finals of the inaugural World Cup.  This time with myself and Van Boening we look forward to winning the Cup for USA.”
 
England A’s Karl Boyes has already warned he would relish the opportunity to keep Earl ‘The Pearl’ Strickland quiet having defeated the veteran in a hotly-contested battle at last year’s Mosconi Cup in Las Vegas.
 
‘The Pearl’ says he has read Boyes’ comments and now seems even more motivated to get one over on England A.
 
“I saw Karl Boyes’ comments calling me out and I only have this to say; Victim Number One,” commented Strickland.
 
Now in its ninth year, the World Cup of Pool features 32 two-player teams from around the world battling it out for a $250,000 prize fund. The defending champions are the Philippines who will be among the favourites to claim a record-breaking fourth World Cup.
 
The field will be packed with some of the biggest names in world pool including Boyes and Darren Appleton (England A) Chris Melling and Daryl Peach (England B), as well as the likes of World Champions Niels FeijenMika ImmonenThorsten Hohmann and Alex Pagulayan.
 
The event starts on Tuesday 23rd September and there are two sessions daily at 12 noon and 6.00pm during weekdays and then 1.00pm and 6.00pm at the weekend. Team USA get their campaign underway on Wednesday 24th September.
 
All tickets are priced at £5 (afternoons) and £10 evenings and are available from the venue or www.seetickets.com
 
Diamond Billiards are the Official Table of the 2014 World Cup of Pool; the Official Cloth is supplied by Iwan Simonis and the Official Balls are Super Aramith. Predator is the Official Cue of the event.