The first woman to qualify for a World Bowls Tour ranking tournament aims to create history again in another battle of the sexes.

Carol Ashby meets Australian Mark McMahon in the Engage International Open at Ponds Ford Centre, Sheffield, next week.

The 38-year-old from Eastbourne became the first woman to play against men in a major tournament at the same event two years ago when she lost her opening round match to Scotland's Paul Foster, now world champion.

But the twice women's world indoor champion rates her chances are better against tenth seed McMahon, runnerup in last year's World Championships, after qualifying despite a wrist injury.

Ashby practiced with McMahon at Denton when he lived in Brighton and played for Adur.

She said: "I would be the first woman to win a WBT ranking tournament match if I could beat Mark. I know him and his game well and he is a good player. He used to thrash me when we practiced together, so I am out for revenge!

"I would say I am playing better than I was when I came up against Paul two years ago. Also I have gained that much more experience. It will depend on the day.

"I don't think there will be any chauvinism from Mark. He is a nice guy. It doesn't really matter that it is man against woman, for Mark and I it will just be player versus player.

"I will be fully fit. The wrist problem I had has now gone.

"Hopefully I can write my name in the bowls history books for a second time.

"The added incentive is, of course, that Mark is representing Australia and organisers are trying to build it as another Ashes-type clash. Hopefully I can produce a similar result to the England cricketers.

"Although I played okay last year I hope I can play better. I do not want to drive all the way up to Yorkshire just for one round."

Ashby travels to Sheffield on Sunday to practice for her match against McMahon on the all-blue portable rink next Tuesday.

The bowler, who once posed semi-naked at a photo-session, has courted controversy in recent years.

Ashby was at the centre of a 'bowls babes' storm in January when it was alleged that players in the World Women's Match Play Championship, featured on BBC TV, were selected for their looks rather than their ability on the rink.

Ashby, who won the mixed pairs at the event, said: "I don't know whether those who complained still feel that way. We will see when next year's event takes place.

"Obviously I have nothing to do with selection but at the end of the day if you are invited you are always going to put someone's noses out of joint somewhere along the line. You always will.

"It is the same with selection for any team event anywhere. I guess you are always going to get people who are disappointed with being left out. But that is part of sport."

Ashby, still sporting pierced jewellery, might be retired when the 2006 event takes place in the New Year. She hinted to The Argus at the beginning of the year that she was ready to quit because of a lack of motivation and work commitments. She delayed her decision after being called into the Commonwealth Games squad but now she has been cut from it.

She said: "I have carried on playing since I found out I was not included because I had committed to tournaments for the year."