England Squash set to continue record onslaught at European Team Championships

Barker, who reached last month's Canary Wharf Classic final, will play third string in a strong five-man squad comprising world No 1 Nick Matthew and James Willstrop, England's top two respectively, Daryl Selby and Jonathan Kemp.

England, under new national coach Chris Robertson, will also start overwhelming favourites as they attempt to win their 19th successive European team title.

And Barker, 27, will aim to prove a point to his compatriots in Espoo as the left-hander launches his blueprint to climb the rankings and reach more world tour finals.

"My career has always been pretty steady progress," said the current world No 7. "But I think next year I will have to make some changes to break the mold."

That will include making a bid to win his first national title next year where Barker says he will be one of four players vying for the title after Selby's surprise win over Matthew in February.

"I definitely want to get my ranking higher. But I am encouraged especially after where I was this time last year where my squash got on top of me.

"But I have now beaten all the top players above me and I have got a little bit of time on my side.

"I have tried to be more comfortable around the front of the court and playing at pace against the top players.

"There's definitely been an improvement this year getting to semis and finals and I need to go that one step further."

In the women's event, England, led by Jenny Duncalf, will aim to reverse a surprise defeat by Holland last year, having previously gone unbeaten for 32 years in the tournament.

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China Open 2011: Nicolas Colsaerts moves step closer to maiden European Tour win

The 28 year-old Belgian was round in 66 at Luxehills in Chengdu today to move to 18 under par, a shot clear of Han Cheng-won.

Colsaerts has been a professional since the age of 18 without recording a win on the Tour but last year found himself in contention at five events. And he is hopeful of converting that improvement into a win, be it tomorrow or in the near future.

"I've been looking for a win for a couple of years but I've put myself in contention a few times and I know if I don't win here it will come one day," he told europeantour.com.

"I was a bit itchy today and managed all right. I hope tomorrow I'll manage the same."

The big-hitter drove his way to success today, playing the four par-five holes in five under with an eagle and three birdies.

"The wind changed the course dramatically today. You had to think more about certain tee shots.

"The other days you could pretty much go at every pin and the ball would stop where it landed. With these greens you always want to be on the right side but it was harder with it being dry."

Han had been the early frontrunner after an opening 64 which preceded a poor 70. A 65 today, however, was the day's best effort to take the 19-year-old South Korean back up to second.

"I played perfectly today - some good shots and good putts," he said.

"I took confidence from my putting today. When I missed shots I made the putts, that helped my round.

"This is the best I have played as a professional. I have some experience of big tournaments from when I was an amateur and that experience is helping me now. I'm not nervous - I believe in myself."

Irishman Peter Lawrie is two off the the lead and tied for third with France's Gregory Havret after both produced 68s to go 16 under.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson began the day out in front after a stunning 61 yesterday but a 70 today saw him plummet down the leaderboard.

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World champion Jessica Ennis voted European athlete of the month following Doha heroics

Jessica Ennis has been voted the European Athlete for March after her victory at the World Indoor Championships in Doha.

The 24-year-old from Sheffield added the pentathlon gold medal to the world outdoor heptathlon title she won in Berlin last August.

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