The 31-year-old will lead a 10-strong team in Glasgow as England seeks to close the gap on Singapore in terms of overall medals at the Commonwealth Games.

England sit second on the medals table with 10 overall since the sport made its debut in Manchester in 2002.

Baggaley has amassed half of that total on his own, making him England's most decorated table tennis player in Games history.

The man from Milton Keynes was part of the England team that took gold in Manchester and also partnered Gareth Herbert to doubles gold, while he followed that up partnering Andrew Rushton to men's doubles silver in Melbourne four years later.

Last time out in New Delhi, Liam Pitchford was Baggaley's partner as they claimed bronze in the doubles, while both joined Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight and Daniel Reed in taking the men's team silver medal.

England lost out to Singapore for team gold in 2010 and Baggaley expects them and India to be the teams to beat again at the Scotstoun Sports Complex, where he has been getting in some practice ahead of the start of competition on Thursday (July 24).

Baggaley has helped England to Commonwealth Games team gold and silver since the sport's first appearance at Manchester 2002 ©Getty Images




"I've spent a few days in Glasgow just to get some practice in and it was really, really good to get up there and get a feel for the place," he told insidethegames.

"It was good to get practising there as every venue has a certain way of playing and it's definitely an advantage to get some in before the main stuff starts.

"It's certainly another massive event.

"We have a really good chance of winning medals."

England are due to take part in a warm-up match with Australia in Preston today as the final preparations are put in place by a squad that contains a large amount of experience with Pitchford, Drinkhall, Reed, Johanna Drinkhall, Kelly Sibley, Hannah Hicks and Karina Le Fevre all appearing at the Commonwealth Games before, while Tin-Tin Ho and Sam Walker will be making their debuts at this level.

In terms of his personal form, Baggaley, who competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games, is confident he can continue his record of medalling at every Games so far, revealing the key to his success is ensuring to peak at the right time.

Timing is everything for Andrew Baggaley as he gears up for the table tennis action at Scotstoun Sports Campus ©Getty Images




"I have won medals at all the Games I have been at so far," he said.

"It's great when you have experienced winning a medal and that is the target again in Glasgow.

"But, it's all on the day really.

"All the top players have a chance and its all down to each individual match and how you are feeling at that time.

"I take it on a match-by-match basis and you need to peak at the right times.

"With any sport it's all about timing really and being able to deliver when it matters.

"I mean you can never guarantee anything but I think I am in there with a realistic chance of a medal.

"Certainly, if I play to the top of my ability then I feel I definitely have a chance of winning a medal."

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