BBC Snooker Commentator Expresses Surprise at Unusual Hindrance During World Snooker Championship Match
A unusual incident occurred during the World Snooker Championship match between Chris Wakelin and Neil Robertson on Sunday afternoon, leaving Wakelin bemused and BBC commentator John Virgo surprised. According to reports from Wales Online, Wakelin’s cueing was obstructed by a set design at the Crucible Theatre, causing him to struggle with his shot.
The incident happened when Robertson strategically positioned the last red ball behind the brown to obstruct Wakelin, who then found his cueing space limited from the right-hand side due to a protruding board at the edge of the table. As Wakelin attempted to line up his shot, he was visibly perturbed to encounter his cue striking an advertising board separating the players from the audience.
"I saw this happen the other night – I don’t ever remember people having a problem with this," Virgo said during the commentary, as reported by Wales Online. "Kyren Wilson did it the other night, it’s maybe just that ledge that’s sticking out. If it is interfering with his cueing, that’s wrong!" His co-commentator, Ken Doherty, briefly chimed in: "I know it’s a new set, a new perimeter but…"
Despite the hindrance, Wakelin managed to play an impressive shot, feathering the red ball before manoeuvering the white behind the pink on the table’s far-right corner. Virgo couldn’t hide his admiration for the shot, exclaiming, "It’s unbelievable." He further marvelled at how Wakelin extricated himself from a difficult situation, saying, "He looked to be in all kinds of trouble, and that little flick on the pink… it wouldn’t have gone in off? Well, it could have gone in off the pink, but he’s got a snooker from nowhere."
Wakelin, who was leading 8-7 at the time of the incident, secured a 10-8 victory over Robertson on Sunday. He will now face either Mark Allen or Fan Zhengyi in the round of 16. Allen and Zhengyi are set to resume their match at 2.30pm on Monday, with Allen currently holding a 5-4 lead.
This incident is not the first of its kind to occur during the World Snooker Championship. Last year’s winner, Kyren Wilson, faced a similar issue during his opening match against Lei Peifan on Saturday. Wilson’s cue brushed against the partition while attempting a 136 route from the right side of the table. Despite this, the reigning champion remained unfazed, potting the ball and sharing a laugh about the unusual occurrence with spectators. However, it was Peifan who had the final chuckle, eliminating Wilson from the tournament with a surprising 10-9 win.
Wakelin’s opponent in the next round will be determined by the outcome of the match between Allen and Zhengyi. Allen has credited his recent resurgence to sessions with psychologist Paul Gaffney, whom he credited with hauling him back towards the solid mental state he enjoyed when he reached the top of the world rankings in 2023. "I feel like I’m in a good place coming here and mentally I’m back to where I was 18 months ago," Allen said. "I’ve been working with Paul every day now for the last month. I feel like I maybe dropped the ball a little bit by not speaking to him as much as I could. It’s certainly not an on-table thing because I’ve been working as hard as I’ve ever done."
The World Snooker Championship continues to provide thrilling moments and unexpected challenges for players. As the competition heats up, fans are eagerly anticipating the next round of matches. According to Wales Online, Wakelin’s performance and ability to overcome the unusual hindrance have made him a strong contender in the tournament. The source also reported that Virgo’s comments during the match highlighted the unusual nature of the incident and the impact it had on the game.
The incident has raised questions about the set design at the Crucible Theatre and its potential impact on players. As the tournament progresses, it will be interesting to see how players adapt to the conditions and how the organisers address the issue.
In related news, Mark Allen has spoken about his recent form and his chances in the tournament. The 2023 World Snooker Championship will be remembered for its thrilling moments and unexpected twists. As the competition continues, fans can expect more exciting matches and dramatic finishes.
Original Source: Wales Online – "BBC snooker commentator shouts ‘That’s… ridiculous’ at World Snooker Championship". This article was reporting on an issue at the World Snooker Championships and provided a basis for this extended long form piece on the issue and wider implications.
