Merrien is world No. 1

ALISON MERRIEN is the world's top-ranked outdoor woman bowler – and that's official.

According to a pronouncement on Tuesday from the Edinburgh offices of World Bowls Ltd, the Guernsey ace's recent performance in Australia has enabled her to knock New Zealander Val Smith off the top of the WBL table.

'Obviously it's not something I have gone out to do, but it's an added bonus to everything I have achieved in the past,' Merrien said. 'It's great to be up there at number one.'

In reaching the semi-finals of the WBL Women's World Cup at the Warilla club in New South Wales last month, Merrien collected enough points to climb to number one in the WBL ranking list.

With Smith absent, Merrien was able to boost her points total from 1,050 to 1,160, while the Kiwi lost points and slipped into second place on 1,060.

Ironically, it was Smith's fellow New Zealander and world championship winning pairs partner Jo Edwards who won the event in Warilla having beaten Merrien in the semis and moved smartly up the table to make her first appearance in the top 12 in seventh place.

'I was pleased to get that far in the end,' said Merrien of her up-and-down week.