A WHEELCHAIR basketballer has been selected to represent England at the Commonwealth Games later this month.

Barrow’s Tyler Baines, a current GB senior men's athlete, is one of just four athletes selected for the main roster in the new 3x3 wheelchair basketball format.

Baines has spent the last season playing professionally in Spain for Amivel and will be in action again for England on July 28.

Tyler's father Mark said: “As a family, we are proud to say the least.

“Tyler has travelled up and down the motorway since he was ten years old and this is bearing the fruits of his hard work.

“It is a natural progression for him but it also feels like the culmination of some very, very hard work.”

Accompanying him are GB men’s athlete - two-time Paralympic bronze medallist and current World and European Champion - Lee Manning, as well current Diploma in Sporting Excellence athletes Charlie McIntyre and Abderrahim Taghrest.

Played on half-court, with the same height basket as basketball, 3x3 wheelchair basketball is quick and intense with teams having just 12 seconds to shoot during each phase of play with games played over a single period of ten minutes.

Mr Baines thinks that England has a very good chance in the tournament – without wanting to tempt fate.

He said: “The team is led by the GB men’s senior captain and one of the best players in the world in Lee Manning.

“The quality of the talent in the squad is not to be underestimated, but there are also other countries with very good players – Canada and Australia have some of the world’s best.”

England women’s 3×3 team features four GB athletes including Joy Haizelden, Charlie Moore, Amy Conroy and Jade Atkin, who will all bring an energetic style of play ideal for the 3×3 format.

Completing the men's Group A at the competition are South Africa and Malaysia, while Group B consists of Northern Ireland, Australia and Canada.