Matthew keen to stay ahead of the pack

In May the 29-year-old, from Sheffield, became the first Englishman to reach the coveted top spot since fellow Yorkshireman Lee Beachill held the position back in 2004.

And after a short summer break and deserved holiday, the British Open champion begins his preparations for the Commonwealth Games and World Open against fellow Englishman Joey Barrington in Canberra.

It could prove to be a tough return to the world stage for Matthew, with all 10 of the world's leading players on the PSA circuit taking part, including Egyptian Ramy Ashour, the man he replaced as world No 1 back in May after winning the Sky Open on Ashour's home turf.

Ashour begins his bid for glory against fellow Egyptian Omar Abdel Aziz, currently ranked 34th in the world, on Wednesday.

Matthew's fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop, who retained his world ranking of sixth in this month's list, has also made the trip to Australia and will begin his campaign against one of the qualifiers who are playing later today.

If he negotiates his way past his first-round opponent, he is likely to come up against homegrown favourite and former world No 1 David Palmer, who faces India's Saurav Ghosal, currently based in Pontefract under the guidance of Willstrop's coach father Malcolm.

In the women's draw, Harrogate's world No 2 Jenny Duncalf, is the top seed and faces American Amanda Sobhy in the first round on Wednesday.

If successful, 26-year-old Duncalf is likely to face Australian Rachael Grinham.

No English player has won an Australian Open since Lisa Opie claimed back to back titles in 1986-87.