Double Commonwealth Games champion Jo Edwards of New Zealand bounced back from her shock defeat on the opening day by recording three victories ©Getty Images

Double Commonwealth Games champion Jo Edwards of New Zealand bounced back from her shock defeat on the opening day by recording three victories at the World Bowls Championships in Christchurch.

Edwards, who won pairs gold at Manchester 2002 and the singles crown in Glasgow 12 years later, began in confident fashion with a 21-10 win over Kim Heiser of the United States.

The New Zealander quickly made it two victories from two by beating Fran Davis of Cyprus 21-13 and rounded off a superb day by thrashing Guernsey’s Jackie Nicolle 21-1.

She will take on Dutchwoman Saskia Schaft in the morning session tomorrow, marking her 500th test appearance.

The 46-year-old is poised to become only the second New Zealander to reach the landmark, following in the footsteps of Rowan Brassey.

"I know it is a big milestone and all that but it is a big game in the section play and hopefully I won't get too overwhelmed by it all," she told the NZ Herald.

"To get straight through to the semi-finals is what everyone is going for so it is a huge step - that would be great if we got there."

Following the contest against Schaft, Edwards will then go up against Australia's defending world champion Karen Murphy, which could be a potential classic.

Mike Kernaghan and Shannon McIlroy also won three matches in the men's pair event ©Getty Images
Mike Kernaghan and Shannon McIlroy also won three matches in the men's pair event ©Getty Images

It proved to be a successful second day for the home bowlers as the women’s fours team of Katelyn Inch, Angela Boyd, Kirsten Edwards and Val Smith are in charge of their section.

They continued their impressive start by beating Canada, comprised of Pricilla Westlake, Jackie Foster, Shirley Fitzpatrick-Wong and Leanne Chinery, 16-10.

The quartet also saw off Nambia 25-15 and Wales 22-13.

Mike Kernaghan and Shannon McIlroy were also among the New Zealand winners on day two as they comfortably saw off the challenge of Israeli duo Dan Slodownik and Zvika Hadar 21-8 in the men’s pair competition.

A 21-10 success over Americans Aaron Zangl and Charlie Herbert followed, before they ousted Guernsey’s Matt Solway and Todd Priaulx 20-5.

England’s women’s fours team were also in ominous form as they secured another three wins to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Ellen Faulkner, Jamie-Lea Winch, Rebecca Wigfield and Wendy King saw off Turkish quartet Rahsan Akar, Filiz Adiguzel, Emine Dursun and Havva Konanc 32-3, before beating Shae Wilson, Tess Evans, Anne Pledger and Christine Jones from Norfolk Island 31-15.

They then claimed their sixth straight victory thanks to a narrow 16-5 triumph against Rosita Bradborn, Hazel Jagonoy, Vilma Greenlees and Ascuncion Bruce of the Philippines.