Fifty-two bowls stars from 26 different countries will compete in male and female competitions at the Warilla Bowls and Recreation Club in the 13th staging of the World Cup event.

Home star Henry doubles as the host club's bowls coordinator and will be hot favourite for a repeat triumph.

New Zealand's Ali Forsyth and Scotland's Ronnie Duncan will be among his principal rivals.

A fully international lineup also includes outside contenders such as Malaysia's Mohammad Soufi Rusli. India's Sunil Bahadur and Namibia's Cabous Olivier.

Norfolk Island's 61-year-old defending champion Carmen Anderson will return again on the women's side but will face a tough task to triumph again.

World number one Jo Edwards of New Zealand will hope to repeat the form which saw her win the singles title at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Scotland’s Lesley Doig, who won silver at the world outdoor championships in Christchurch last year, is rated as one of the sport’s best indoor exponents.

Australia’s Natasha Scott and South Africa’s Glasgow 2014 pairs champion Colleen Piketh are other contenders.

Players from other countries including Turkey, Philippines, Israel, Macao, Papua New Guinea, Malta, Brunei, Fiji, Botswana and Japan are also entered.

Competition will begin tomorrow and last until March 22.