Scotland’s David Gourlay and Australia’s Karen Murphy progressed through to the mixed pairs semi-finals at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in England today ©World Bowls Tour

Scotland’s David Gourlay and Australia’s Karen Murphy progressed through to the mixed pairs semi-finals at the World Indoor Bowls Championships in England today. 

Gourlay and Murphy beat Scotland’s Darren Burnett and England’s Katherine Rednall in the first match using the new format of three bowl pairs and seven ends.

Having taken the first set 6-3 at the Potters Leisure Resort in Hopton-on-Sea in Norfolk, they won a second-set tie-break after a 4-4 draw.

Next up for them is an encounter on Sunday (January 22) with Scotland's Paul Foster and England's Rebecca Field, who beat English duo Robert Paxton and Ellen Falkner 5-5, 6-3 today.

Also through to the penultimate round is the pairing of Scotland's Alex Marshall and England's Katy Smith after they defeated England's Nick Brett and Scotland's Claire Johnston 9-4, 3-4, 2-1.

England's Greg Harlow and Amy Stanton await them in the semi-finals following their 7-2, 6-3 win over compatriots Andy Thomson and Janice Gower.

Action is due to continue tomorrow with the women's singles quarter-finals.