Marcus Ellis believes the strength in depth in English badminton is something to be pleased about despite missing out in the big competitions on the circuit.

Ellis and Chris Langridge became Olympic bronze medallists at Rio 2016, but the former has since found a skill in the mixed doubles alongside Lauren Smith.

The two have become regular victors on the circuit and came close to progressing to the latter stages of the YONEX All England on home courts earlier this month.

Defeat that time came to the husband-and-wife pair Chris and Gabby Adcock, quarter-finalists in Birmingham, with Ellis believing the tide is turning in a sport that had seen its Olympic funding cut.

“It is quite promising and you’ve obviously got a range of ages which is a really good thing as well because it’s not just the older players,” said Ellis.

“There’s some 20, 21-year-olds stepping up to the plate and performing on the world stage and I think to be doing that at that age is promising for the future.

“We are really disappointed but as far as the mixed goes in England it’s always been a strong discipline for us, I don’t know why, there’s no explanation for it.

“We just seem to do quite well at it so hopefully that can continue in the coming years even after we stop.”

That sentiment was one shared by Smith who, despite being bested by the Commonwealth champions, feels she is not too far away from matching the feats of the Adcocks.

“I think it’s an incredibly positive thing,” she said. “We’ve obviously got the three pairs here and then we’ve got other pairs at Milton Keynes and you get good sparring opportunities.

“It keeps our level high and you can all work together to improve as a collective.

“It’s not about competing in England, it’s about competing with the rest of the world but to have multiple pairs through to the latter stages can only be a good thing for now and in the future.”

  • The 2019 YONEX All England – Badminton’s Greatest Show on the sport’s world tour – continues to wow fans at Arena Birmingham. For news and fan information: www.allenglandbadminton.com