Some new names could be expected in the English Commonwealth games team for the 200m backstroke. Scot Greogr Tait led the qualifiers by almost 2 seconds, with 98 team member Simon Militis likely to provide his sternest opposition, qualifying in fourth, but the reminder of the semifinal qualifiers are relatively unknown at this level.

Qualifiers
1. Gregor TAIT 22 Co Edinburgh 2:02.51 2. Nick NECKLES 23 StirlingSwim 2:04.35 3. James GODDARD 19 Stockport Mo 2:04.61 4. Simon MILITIS 24 Portsmouth N 2:04.64 5. Ross HUGHES 18 BRES/EESS 2:05.08 6. Dan SMITH 23 Leic Peng 2:05.41 7. David O’BRIEN 19 Prescot 2:06.38 8. Liam TANCOCK 16 Exeter City 2:07.82 9. Lee WARCUP 20 KUHE/BHMM 2:07.89 10. Christain COWIE 22 Loughboro Un 2:08.63 11. Nathan OXFORD 18 Nova Cent’n 2:08.70 12. Ben WARD 17 Exeter City 2:09.30 13. Ian POWELL 16 Beau Sejour 2:10.06 14. Lee RILEY 16 BHMM/PBEM 2:10.29 15. Tom HARNETT 19 Beckenham 2:10.56